Hairstyling device

ABSTRACT

A hairstyling device is provided. The hairstyling device is operable to apply heat to hair of a user. The hairstyling device includes sensor equipment configured to generate sensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic of the hairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstyling device. The hairstyling device includes a controller configured to receive the sensor output from the sensor equipment, process the sensor output to determine one or more hair damage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by the hairstyling device, and cause, during heating of the hair by the hairstyling device, a user interface to provide an output dependent on the one or more hair damage parameters.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure concerns a hairstyling device. In particular, butnot exclusively, the present disclosure concerns measures, includingmethods, apparatus and computer programs, for operating a hairstylingdevice.

BACKGROUND

Hairstyling devices, also referred to as hairstyling appliances, areused to form hair into desired shapes or styles. In particular, heatedhairstyling devices use the action of heat, and optionally alsomechanical means, to style the hair in a desired manner.

An example of such a hairstyling device is a hair straightening device(also referred to as a hair straightener, or hairstyling iron). Such ahairstyling device typically comprises two articulated arms which arepivotally attached to each other at one end, and to which one or moreheatable plates are attached. Where both arms have a heatable plate, theheatable plates are generally positioned on inner opposed surfaces ofthe arms. The heatable plates have hair-contactable surfaces which areoperable to come into contact with, and apply heat to, hair during useof the hairstyling device. The heatable plates (and thus thehair-contactable surfaces) can be heated by one or more heatingelements.

However, the flexibility and/or versatility of known hairstyling devicesis limited. This in turn may limit the ability of known hairstylingdevices to achieve a desired style. For example, known hairstylingdevices typically dump heat when they come into contact with a tress ofhair. This may be relatively inefficient, as well as potentially causingdamage to the hair. Further, known hairstyling devices generally rely ona user to use the hairstyling device correctly, in order to achieve adesired style. In some cases, for example, too much or too little heat,and/or too much or too little clamping pressure, may be applied to hair.This can cause thermal and/or mechanical hair damage, and/or can preventthe desired style from being achieved. If the desired style is notachieved using the hairstyling device in a first pass, e.g. due toincorrect or suboptimal use of the hairstyling device, a user may repeatthe pass one or more times on the same portion of hair. As well asincreasing the risk of damage to the hair, this repetition involvesadditional time and/or power consumption. In some cases, the desiredstyle is not achieved even with repeated passes.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved hairstyling deviceand/or improved methods of operating a hairstyling device.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided ahairstyling device operable to apply heat to hair of a user, thehairstyling device comprising: sensor equipment configured to generatesensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic of thehairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstyling device;and a controller configured to: receive the sensor output from thesensor equipment; process the sensor output to determine one or morehair damage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by thehairstyling device; and cause, during heating of the hair by thehairstyling device, a user interface to provide an output dependent onthe one or more hair damage parameters.

By causing the user interface to provide the output during heating ofthe hair, rather than after the hairstyling session is complete,feedback can be provided in substantially real time. This allows theuser to be informed that the hair which is currently being heated isdamaged, or may become damaged. As such, more meaningful information maybe conveyed to the user, and more promptly, compared to other methods.Further, such feedback can prompt the user to take corrective action,e.g. to change the speed and/or operating temperature of the hairstylingdevice, to reduce the likelihood of damage and/or further damage beingdone to the heated hair.

In embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters are indicative ofpre-existing damage to the hair. In embodiments, the one or more hairdamage parameters are indicative of predicted damage due to the heatingof the hair by the hairstyling device. In embodiments, the one or morehair damage parameters are indicative of at least one of physicaldamage, thermal damage and chemical damage of the hair.

In embodiments, the user interface is comprised in a remote device. Insuch embodiments, the controller is configured to output a signal to theremote device to cause the user interface to provide the output. A userinterface on such a remote device may be more versatile than a userinterface on the hairstyling device itself.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device comprises the user interface. Byproviding the user interface on the hairstyling device, the output maybe generated and received by the user more quickly compared to a case inwhich the user interface is not comprised on the hairstyling device,since the need for communications between different devices is avoided.Further, providing the user interface on the hairstyling device mayincrease a likelihood that the user receives the feedback promptly. Forexample, the user may not be in the same location as the remote deviceduring use of the hairstyling device, and therefore the user may notsee/hear a notification on the remote device promptly.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user that a feedback message is available ona remote device. By notifying the user that a feedback message isavailable on the remote device, the user is prompted to look at theremote device (which may, in some cases, be in a different location tothe user) to receive the feedback.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anaudio, visual and/or haptic output.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises analert relating to the one or more hair damage parameters.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user to take corrective action. By notifyingthe user to take corrective action in substantially real time, damageand/or further damage to the heated hair may be prevented.

In embodiments, the controller is configured to change one or moresettings of the hairstyling device based on the one or more hair damageparameters to prevent damage and/or prevent further damage to the heatedhair. In some such embodiments, the output provided by the userinterface comprises a notification notifying the user that the one ormore settings have been changed. In embodiments, the one or moresettings comprise an operating temperature of the hairstyling device. Assuch, the hairstyling device can autonomously change its settings basedon the one or more hair damage parameters, before notifying the userthat such changes have been made. This may be faster than a case inwhich the user is relied upon to change the settings of the hairstylingdevice, thereby reducing a likelihood of further damage to the hair.

In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises an inertial measurementunit, IMU. In some such embodiments, the at least one use characteristicis indicative of movement of the hairstyling device.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device comprises a hair contact member,the hair contact member comprising opposing first and secondhair-contactable surfaces, the hair contact member being moveablebetween an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some suchembodiments, the at least one use characteristic is indicative ofwhether the hair contact member is in the open configuration or in theclosed configuration.

In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises a temperature sensorconfigured to sense an operating temperature of the hairstyling device.In some such embodiments, the at least one use characteristic comprisesthe operating temperature of the hairstyling device.

In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises a power sensor configuredto sense power drawn by a heating element of the hairstyling deviceduring heating of hair. In some such embodiments, the at least one usecharacteristic comprises the power drawn by the heating element.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device comprises a hair straighteningdevice and/or a hair curling device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided asystem comprising: a hairstyling device operable to apply heat to hairof a user; and a remote device comprising a user interface, the remotedevice being communicatively coupled to the hairstyling device, whereinthe hairstyling device comprises: sensor equipment configured togenerate sensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic ofthe hairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstylingdevice; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor output fromthe sensor equipment; process the sensor output to determine one or morehair damage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by thehairstyling device; and output a signal to the remote device to cause,during heating of the hair by the hairstyling device, the user interfaceto provide an output dependent on the one or more hair damageparameters.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided amethod of operating a hairstyling device, the hairstyling device beingoperable to apply heat to hair of a user, the hairstyling devicecomprising sensor equipment configured to generate sensor outputdependent on at least one use characteristic of the hairstyling deviceindicative of current use of the hairstyling device, the methodcomprising: receiving the sensor output from the sensor equipment;processing the sensor output to determine one or more hair damageparameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by the hairstylingdevice; and causing, during heating of the hair by the hairstylingdevice, a user interface to provide an output dependent on the one ormore hair damage parameters.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided acomputer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executedby a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform amethod of operating a hairstyling device, the hairstyling device beingoperable to apply heat to hair of a user, the hairstyling devicecomprising sensor equipment configured to generate sensor outputdependent on at least one use characteristic of the hairstyling deviceindicative of current use of the hairstyling device, the methodcomprising: receiving the sensor output from the sensor equipment;processing the sensor output to determine one or more hair damageparameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by the hairstylingdevice; and causing, during heating of the hair by the hairstylingdevice, a user interface to provide an output dependent on the one ormore hair damage parameters.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation toone aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into otheraspects of the present invention. For example, a method of the inventionmay incorporate any of the features described with reference to anapparatus of the invention and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way ofexample only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a hairstyling device accordingto embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hairstyling device according toembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments; and

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a hairstylingdevice according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B show perspective views of a hairstyling device 100according to embodiments. The hairstyling device 100, and/or componentsthereof, may be used to implement the methods described herein. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the hairstyling device 100comprises a hair straightener.

The hairstyling device 100 comprises a first arm 110 and a second arm120, which are joined together at one end by a hinge 130. Each arm 110,120 comprises a heatable plate 115, 125. One or both of the heatableplates 115, 125 are heatable, e.g. by a heating element (not shown). Insome embodiments, one or both of the heatable plates 115, 125 comprisesa resistive plate. Such resistive plates may be heated directly, e.g.without requiring a separate heating element. Each heatable plate 115,125 comprises a hair-contactable surface 116, 126. The hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 are arranged such that they face each other. The arms110, 120 are hinged such that they can move between an open position (asshown in FIG. 1A), and a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1B). In theclosed position, the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are broughttowards each other such that hair to be styled can be held between thehair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. In some embodiments, thehair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are brought into contact when thearms 110, 120 are in the closed position. In other embodiments, thehair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are not brought into contact.

The arms 110, 120 may be moved between the open position and the closedposition by a user. For example, the user presses the arms 110, 120together when using the hairstyling device 100 (in order to style hairbetween the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126), and releases the arms110, 120 and/or pulls the arms 110, 120 apart when styling is complete.In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises biasing means (notshown), e.g. one or more springs and/or magnets. The biasing means urgethe arms 110, 120 towards the open position, such that the arms 110, 120revert to the open position when a user is not pressing the arms 110,120 together.

In alternative embodiments, the arms 110, 120 are not pivotable about ahinge 130. For example, the arms 110, 120 may be substantially parallelto one another. In either case, a user may press the arms 110, 120together to style hair.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the hairstyling device 100comprises a cordless hairstyling device. For example, the hairstylingdevice 100 may be powered by a rechargeable battery. In alternativeembodiments, the hairstyling device 100 is externally powered, e.g. viaone or more external power cords (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the hairstyling device 100,according to embodiments.

The hairstyling device 100 comprises a controller 210. The controller210 is operable to perform various data processing and/or controlfunctions according to embodiments, as will be described in more detailbelow. The controller 210 may comprise one or more components. The oneor more components may be implemented in hardware and/or software. Theone or more components may be co-located or may be located remotely fromeach other in the hairstyling device 100. The controller 210 may beembodied as one or more software functions and/or hardware modules. Inembodiments, the controller 210 comprises one or more processorsconfigured to process instructions and/or data. Operations performed bythe one or more processors may be carried out by hardware and/orsoftware. The controller 210 may be used to implement the methodsdescribed herein. In embodiments, the controller 210 is operable tooutput control signals for controlling one or more components of thehairstyling device 100.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a heating element220. The heating element 220 may, for example, be operable to convertelectrical energy into heat. The heating element 220 is configured tocause hair to be heated by the hairstyling device 100. The controller210 is operable to control the heating element 220. For example, thecontroller 210 may be operable to apply energy (e.g. electrical energy)to the heating element 220, e.g. via one or more control signalsgenerated by the controller 210.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device comprises a heatable hair contactmember 225. The hair contact member 225 may be heatable by the heatingelement 220. In alternative embodiments, the hair contact member 225 isheatable directly, i.e. without requiring a separate heating element220. In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 comprises one or moreheatable plates. For example, the hair contact member 225 may compriseone or more of the heatable plates 115, 125 described with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B above. The hair contact member 225 may comprise one ormore hair-contactable surfaces, e.g. the hair-contactable surfaces 116,126 described above. The hair contact member 225 is operable to applyheat to hair via the one or more hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. Assuch, the controller 210 controls heating of the hair contact member225, e.g. by controlling the heating element 220, which causes heat tobe delivered to hair in contact with the one or more hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 of the hair contact member 225.

In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 comprises opposing first andsecond hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. The opposing first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are arranged to heat hair engagedtherebetween. In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is operable toapply heat to hair by movement of the hair contact member 225 along atress of hair, e.g. from a first end of the tress towards a second endof the tress. Movement of the hair contact member 225 along the tressmay be referred to as a ‘pass’. In alternative embodiments, the haircontact member 225 comprises a single hair-contactable surface. The haircontact member 225 may comprise moveable arms, such as the first arm 110and second arm 120 described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B above.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a closing mechanism227. The closing mechanism 227 may be operable to close and/or open thehair contact member 225. The closing mechanism 227 may comprise anelectro-mechanical closing mechanism. The closing mechanism 227 isoperable to receive control signals from the controller 210, therebyallowing the controller 210 to control the closing mechanism 227. Inembodiments where the hair contact member 225 comprises opposing firstand second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126, arranged to receive hairtherebetween, the closing mechanism 227 is operable to adjust a distancebetween the first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. Thiswill be described in more detail below.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensor equipment230. The sensor equipment 230 comprises one or more sensors. Examples ofsuch sensors include, but are not limited to, IMUs, Hall effect sensors,temperature sensors, power sensors, proximity sensors, motion sensors,gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, etc. In embodiments, thesensor equipment 230 comprises one or more processors. The controller210 is operable to receive signals (e.g. sensor output) from the sensorequipment 230. The sensor output from the sensor equipment 230 may beused to control the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, thecontroller 210 is operable to control the sensor equipment 230.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 , the sensor equipment 230 comprisesan IMU 235. In such embodiments, the controller 210 is operable toreceive signals from the IMU 235 indicative of movement of thehairstyling device 100. In embodiments, the IMU 235 comprises anaccelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer. Each of theaccelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer has three axes, or degrees offreedom (x, y, z). As such, the IMU 235 may comprise a 9-axis IMU. Inalternative embodiments, the IMU 235 comprises an accelerometer and agyroscope, but does not comprise a magnetometer. In such embodiments,the IMU 235 comprises a 6-axis IMU. A 9-axis IMU may produce moreaccurate measurements than a 6-axis IMU, due to the additional degreesof freedom. However, a 6-axis IMU may be preferable to a 9-axis IMU insome scenarios. For example, some hairstyling devices may cause and/orencounter magnetic disturbances during use. This may be a particularconsideration for cordless hairstyling devices, which comprise anon-board power source, as well as hairstyling devices comprising heatingelements. Heating, magnetism and/or magnetic inductance on the deviceand/or other magnetic disturbances can affect the behaviour of themagnetometer. As such, in some cases, a 6-axis IMU is more reliableand/or accurate than a 9-axis IMU. The IMU is configured to output dataindicating accelerometer and gyroscope signals (and in some embodimentsmagnetometer signals). In an alternative embodiment, the IMU 235 maycomprise an accelerometer, but does not comprise a gyroscope or amagnetometer. In such an embodiment, the IMU 235 comprises a 3-axis IMU.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a user interface240. The user interface 240 may comprise an audio and/or visualinterface, for example. In embodiments, the user interface 240 comprisesa display (for example a touch-screen display). In embodiments, the userinterface 240 comprises an audio output device such as a speaker. Inembodiments, the user interface 240 comprises a haptic feedbackgenerator configured to provide haptic feedback to a user. Thecontroller 210 is operable to control the user interface 240, e.g. tocause the user interface 240 to provide output for a user. In someembodiments, the controller 210 is operable to receive data, e.g. basedon user input, via the user interface 240.

The hairstyling device 100 also comprises a memory 250. The memory 250is operable to store various data according to embodiments. The memorymay comprise at least one volatile memory, at least one non-volatilememory, and/or at least one data storage unit. The volatile memory,non-volatile memory and/or data storage unit may be configured to storecomputer-readable information and/or instructions for use/execution bythe controller 210.

The hairstyling device 100 may comprise more, fewer and/or differentcomponents in alternative embodiments. In particular, at least some ofthe components of the hairstyling device 100 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1Band/or 2 may be omitted (e.g. may not be required) in some embodiments.For example, at least one of the heating element 220, hair contactmember 225, closing mechanism 227, sensor equipment 230, user interface240 and memory 250 may be omitted in some embodiments. In someembodiments, the hairstyling device 100 does not comprise the moveable(e.g. pivotable) arms 110, 120.

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 300 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 3 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to a tress ofhair of a user via the hair-contactable surface 116, 126. Inembodiments, the method 300 is performed at least in part by thecontroller 210.

In step 310, it is determined that the hair contact member 225 is movingalong the tress from a first end of the tress towards a second end ofthe tress.

In step 320, based on the determining, the heating element 220 iscontrolled to cause the operating temperature of the hair contact member225 to change as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress fromthe first end of the tress towards the second end of the tress.

In embodiments, the first end comprises a hair-root end of the tress,and the second end comprises a hair-tip end of the tress. The first endmay be located at the hair-root or at an intermediate point on thetress. The second end may similarly be located at the hair-tip or at anintermediate point on the tress. The term ‘hair-root end’ as used hereinrefers to the end of the tress that is closest to the root of the hair.The term ‘hair-tip’ end refers to the end of the tress that is closestto the tip of the hair (e.g. farthest from the root). In some examples,the tress extends all the way between the root of the hair (e.g. fromthe head of the user) and the tip of the hair. In other examples,however, the tress extends partway between the root of the hair and thetip of the hair. In such examples, the hair-root end of the tress may belocated at a point that is not at the actual root of the hair, and/orthe hair-tip end of the tress may be located at a point that is not atthe actual tip of the hair.

The operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 thus varies asthe hair contact member 225 moves along the tress. By adapting and/ormodulating the delivery of heat to hair along the tress, the heatdistribution across the tress can be controlled. The temperature of thehair may be higher at the hair-root end of a tress compared to thehair-tip end of the tress. However, hair at the hair-tip end may requirea greater amount of heat to be applied than hair at the hair-root end inorder to be styled in a desired manner (e.g. straightened). Hair at thehair-tip end is older than hair at the hair-root end, and older hair mayrequire more heat in order to be styled in the desired manner Using aconstant operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 along thetress may therefore result in thermal damage to hair at the hair-rootend of the tress (due to too much heat being delivered at the hair-rootend), and/or may prevent the desired style from being achieved (due totoo little heat being delivered at the hair-tip end). Providing a heatdelivery profile that increases from the hair-root end towards thehair-tip end of the tress thus reduces the likelihood of thermal damage(particularly protecting the younger hair at the hair-root end), whilstensuring that sufficiently high temperatures are delivered to hair atthe hair-tip end to achieve the desired style. Such a heat deliveryprofile may be referred to as a ‘root-to-tip’ heat delivery profile. Inembodiments, the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 iscaused to increase as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress.In alternative embodiments, the operating temperature of the haircontact member 225 is caused to decrease as the hair contact member 225moves along the tress.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensor equipment230 configured to generate a sensor output dependent on movement of thehair contact member 225. The sensor output is processed to determinethat the hair contact member 225 is moving along the tress. As such, thedetermination that the hair contact member 225 is moving along the tressmay be made without user input and/or intervention, in some embodiments.In embodiments, the sensor equipment 230 comprises the IMU 235. One ormore signals from the IMU 235 may be processed to determine that thatthe hair contact member 225 is moving along the tress. Additionally oralternatively, the sensor equipment 230 may comprise a Hall effectsensor. The Hall effect sensor may generate sensor output dependent onwhether the hair contact member 225 is in an open configuration (e.g.where the arms 110, 120 are open) or a closed configuration (e.g. wherethe arms 110, 120 are closed). As such, a closing of the hair contactmember 225 may be sensed, and used to determine that the hair contactmember 225 is moving along the tress. In alternative embodiments, thedetermining of step 310 is performed without the use of sensorequipment. For example, the determining may be made on the basis of userinput, e.g. via a user interface, one or more buttons on the hairstylingdevice 100, etc.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element220 operable to heat the hair contact member 225. In such embodiments,controlling of heating of the hair contact member 225 comprisescontrolling the heating element 220.

In embodiments, a displacement of the hair contact member 225 from thefirst end of the tress is determined, based on the sensor output. Insuch embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 (e.g.controlling of the heating element 220) is based on the determineddisplacement. The displacement may be determined, for example, based onsignals received from the IMU 235. In other examples, the start of thepass is identified (e.g. when the hair contact member 225 is at thehair-root end of the tress), and the displacement is determined based onan elapsed time from the start of the pass. The start of the pass may beidentified based on a closing of the plates of the hair contact member225, for example. Controlling heating of the hair contact member 225based on the determined displacement enables a finer control of heatdistribution along the tress.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on a predetermined threshold operating temperature of the haircontact member 225. The predetermined threshold operating temperature isdependent on the determined displacement of the hair contact member 225from the first end (e.g. the hair-root end) of the tress. Heating of thehair contact member 225 may be controlled such that the operatingtemperature of the hair contact member 225 is kept above the relevantpredetermined threshold operating temperature, for example. Inembodiments, a first predetermined threshold operating temperature isused for the first end of the tress, and a second predeterminedthreshold operating temperature is used for the second end of the tress,the second predetermined threshold operating temperature being higherthan the first predetermined threshold operating temperature. In someembodiments, a third predetermined threshold operating temperature isused for a location on the tress that is between the first end and thesecond end. The third predetermined threshold operating temperature maybe between the first and the second predetermined threshold operatingtemperatures.

In embodiments, a speed of the hair contact member 225 is determined,based on the sensor output. For example, the speed may be determined byprocessing one or more signals from the IMU 235. In such embodiments,heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled based on thedetermined speed. In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225is controlled to cause the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 to change (e.g. increase) at a rate dependent on thedetermined speed. In other words, the rate of temperature change of thehair contact member 225 may be dependent on the speed at which the haircontact member 225 is moving. For example, a rate of temperatureincrease (or “temperature ramp”) may be relatively steep if the haircontact member 225 is determined to be moving relatively quickly, andmay be relatively shallow if the hair contact member 225 is determinedto be moving relatively slowly. This allows for a finer control of theheat distribution along the tress, and/or enables the hairstyling device100 to adapt to the user's behaviour. In embodiments, a heat deliveryprofile along the tress is dependent on the determined speed.

In embodiments, the sensor output is processed using a velocity and/orposition estimation algorithm. In embodiments, the velocity and/orposition estimation algorithm is configured to fuse accelerometer andgyroscope signals from an IMU. For example, determining that the haircontact member 225 is moving along the tress, determining a displacementof the hair contact member 225 from the first end, and/or determiningthe speed of the hair contact member 225, may be performed through useof the velocity and/or position estimation algorithm. In embodimentswhere a 9-axis IMU is used, the velocity and/or position estimationalgorithm can determine an initial state using the signal from themagnetometer in addition to the accelerometer and gyroscope signals. Inembodiments, the velocity and/or position algorithm comprises a Madgwickfilter. The velocity and/or position estimation algorithm may beimplemented using software or hardware, e.g. an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or may be implemented using a combination ofhardware and software. The velocity and/or position estimation algorithmmay be used in various methods described herein.

IMUs may suffer from noise, biases and/or drifts which, unless properlycorrected for, can cause inaccuracies in the resulting calculations. Forexample, gyroscope signals may drift over time, the accelerometer may bebiased by gravity, and both gyroscope and accelerometer signals maysuffer from noise. In embodiments, at least some of the noise in the IMUsignals is removed using filtering, for example high and/or low passand/or median filters. In embodiments, a Madgwick filter is used tocorrect for gyroscope drift, by removing the magnitude of the gyroscopemeasurement error, in the direction or steepest direction of theestimated error, whilst fusing the accelerometer and gyroscope signals.The output of the Madgwick filter is a world-referenced orientationquaternion, or Madgwick quaternion, which gives the device anorientation. This quaternion is used to rotate the acceleration signalsto the Earth's frame of reference. Once the acceleration is rotated, theproportion of gravity's pull on each axis is calculated and removed(i.e. gravity is compensated for). This provides a linear acceleration,which can be integrated to obtain a velocity, and then the velocity maybe integrated to obtain a position and/or displacement. Each time thesignals are integrated, the remaining errors arising from such biasesand/or drifts increase. Such errors may therefore be particularlyproblematic for velocity and/or position measurements. The drift in thevelocity is compensated for before it is integrated to obtain theposition, which increases the accuracy of the measurements. The velocityand/or position measurements may comprise measurements for all 3 axesindividually, or the directional components may be combined to provide avelocity magnitude and/or a position magnitude.

Alternative filters and/or algorithms may be used instead of, or inaddition to, the Madgwick filter, in other embodiments. Examples of suchfilters include Kalman filters, extended Kalman filters, and/orComplementary filters such as Mahony filters. However, the Madgwickfilter is less computationally expensive than other filters whilstachieving a comparable, or in some cases better, level of accuracy. Thisallows the Madgwick filter to be run on the hairstyling device 100itself, rather than requiring an external processing device. Thisreduces latency compared to a case in which processing is carried out onan external processing data, as the need to transfer data betweendevices is avoided.

In embodiments, the speed may be determined by processing one or moresignals from a 3-axis IMU. As described above, in such embodiments,heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled based on thedetermined speed. In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225is controlled to cause the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 to change (e.g. increase) at a rate dependent on thedetermined speed. In other words, the rate of temperature change of thehair contact member 225 may be dependent on the speed at which the haircontact member 225 is moving. For example, a rate of temperatureincrease (or “temperature ramp”) may be relatively steep if the haircontact member 225 is determined to be moving relatively quickly, andmay be relatively shallow if the hair contact member 225 is determinedto be moving relatively slowly. This allows for a finer control of theheat distribution along the tress, and/or enables the hairstyling device100 to adapt to the user's behaviour. In embodiments, a heat deliveryprofile along the tress is dependent on the determined speed.

In embodiments, the sensor output is processed using a velocity and/orposition estimation algorithm such as a machine learning model. Inembodiments, a 3-axis IMU that comprises an accelerometer is used incombination with a machine learning model. For example, determining thatthe hair contact member 225 is moving along the tress, determining adisplacement of the hair contact member 225 from the first end, and/ordetermining the speed of the hair contact member 225, may be performedthrough use of the machine learning model.

In embodiments where a 3-axis IMU is used, the machine learning modelcan determine an initial state using the signal from the 3-axis IMU. Inembodiments, the machine learning model has been trained using ageneralized nonlinear regression algorithm (such as Gaussian kernelregression and neural networks. The training data for the machinelearning model uses 3-axis IMU data from previous uses of the hairstyling device 100, along with target data from ground truth source, forexample a Vicon motion capture system. It will be appreciated that thetarget data from a ground truth source can be captured using analternative system. The machine learning model may be implemented usingsoftware or hardware, e.g. an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or may be implemented using a combination of hardware andsoftware. The machine learning model may be used in various methodsdescribed herein.

As mentioned, the IMU (such as 3-axis IMUs) may suffer from noise,biases and/or drifts which, unless properly corrected for, can causeinaccuracies in the resulting calculations. For example, theaccelerometer may be biased by gravity, and the accelerometer signalsmay suffer from noise. In embodiments, at least some of the noise in theaccelerometer signals is removed using filtering, for example highand/or low pass and/or median filters.

In embodiments, a low pass filter is applied to each signal output ofthe 3-axis IMU to remove noise. Each signal is then combined into asingle signal output. The proportion of force on the single signaloutput due to Gravity is then calculated and subtracted from the signaloutput to give an acceleration magnitude.

The previously trained machine learning model is then applied to theacceleration magnitude.

The machine learning model as described above is used to correct noise,biases and drift, such as velocity drift, as it simultaneously convertsthe acceleration magnitude to a velocity magnitude, by using a machinelearning model that has been trained as previously described. Inembodiments, the machine learning model is trained with motionacceleration magnitude training data and velocity magnitude ground truthdata provided in previous uses of the hair styling device, and from aground truth source for example a Vicon motion capture system.

In embodiments, a sliding window algorithm is used to generate inputdata for the machine learning model, which in preferred embodimentsconsists of twenty sample points simultaneously. In doing so, drift iscompensated for the twentieth sample point of the calculated velocity bythe machine learning model, which has considered that sample point andthe previous nineteen sample points of the motion acceleration magnitudeinput data. However, it will be appreciated that a different number ofsample points can be used as input data to the machine learning model.In this regard, the machine learning model can correct and/or compensatefor noise, biases and/or drifts associated with the 3-axis IMU.

In an alternative embodiment, a low pass filter is applied to eachsignal output of the 3-axis IMU. Each of the three signal outputs isthen processed separately. The proportion of force on each signal isthen calculated and subtracted from each of the signal outputs to givethree acceleration magnitudes (one acceleration magnitude per axis). Thepreviously trained machine learning model as described above, is thenapplied to each acceleration magnitude individually. Similarly, thesliding window algorithm can be applied to generate input for themachine learning model. In other words, the machine learning model andthe sliding window algorithm can be applied to each axis individually.

In embodiments, the velocity is integrated to obtain position and/ordisplacement. Since the drift has been compensated for in the calculatedvelocity, the position and/or displacement can be determined moreaccurately.

Therefore, the machine learning model in combination with the 3-axis IMUcan be used to compensate for velocity drift and to determine thevelocity, the position and/or the displacement of the hair stylingdevice.

In embodiments, causing the operating temperature to change (e.g.increase) comprises adjusting (e.g. increasing) an amount of energy usedto heat the hair contact member 225 as the hair contact member 225 movesalong the tress from the first end of the tress towards the second endof the tress. For example, the amount of energy applied to the heatingelement 220 may be adjusted as the hair contact member 225 moves alongthe tress. As such, both the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 and the amount of energy applied to the heating element 220may increase as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress, insuch embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the amount of energy usedto heat the hair contact member 225 is not increased as the hair contactmember 225 moves along the tress. For example, the amount of energy usedto heat the hair contact member 225 may be constant.

In embodiments, the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225is caused to increase at a predetermined rate as the hair contact member225 moves along the tress from the hair-root end towards the hair-tipend. The predetermined rate of increase may be based on a heat deliveryprofile along the tress. In some embodiments, the predetermined rate ofincrease is dependent on the speed of the hair contact member 225. Thepredetermined rate of increase may be dependent on other factorsincluding, but not limited to, the type of hair being styled, whetherthe hair is wet or dry, the length of the tress of hair, previous usesof the hairstyling device, user preferences, etc. In embodiments, thepredetermined rate of increase is dependent on a condition of the tress,e.g. defined by one or more hair damage parameters. This will bedescribed in more detail below.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled tocause the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 when thehair contact member 225 is at the second end (e.g. the hair-tip end) tobe between 40 and 80 degrees higher than the operating temperature ofthe hair contact member 225 when the hair contact member 225 is at thefirst end (e.g. the hair-root end). For example, the operatingtemperature when the hair contact member 225 is at the second end may bebetween 50 and 70 degrees higher, e.g. 60 degrees higher, than theoperating temperature when the hair contact member 225 is at the firstend. In some examples, the operating temperature when the hair contactmember 225 is at the first end is 120° C., and the operating temperaturewhen the hair contact member 225 is at the second end is 180° C. Such adifference in operating temperature between the first end and the secondend enables the entire tress to achieve a desired style (e.g. to bestraightened or curled), thereby reducing a styling time, whilstreducing the likelihood of thermal damage to the hair. The differencebetween operating temperatures at the first end and the second end mayhave other values in other embodiments.

In embodiments, the method 300 comprises determining whether thehairstyling device 100 is being used according to a first stylingbehaviour or a second styling behaviour. The heating element 220 iscontrolled in dependence on whether the hairstyling device 100 is beingused according to the first styling behaviour or the second stylingbehaviour. In some such embodiments, heating of the hair contact member225 is controlled to cause the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 to change at a rate that is dependent on whether thehairstyling device 100 is being used according to the first stylingbehaviour or the second styling behaviour. For example, a firstpredetermined rate of increase may be used for a hair straighteningbehaviour, and a second, different predetermined rate of increase may beused for a hair curling behaviour. As such, a distinct temperaturedelivery profile may be used for different activities. This enablesdifferent styles to be achieved by the same hairstyling device 100,thereby improving the versatility of the hairstyling device 100, whilstreducing the likelihood of thermal damage, and reducing the stylingtime. In embodiments, the styling behaviour is identified using aclassification algorithm and sensor data, as will be described in moredetail below. In alternative embodiments, the styling behaviour isidentified based on user input. In alternative embodiments, the specificstyling behaviour is not identified. For example, the same temperaturedelivery profile (which may vary along the tress) may be used regardlessof styling behaviour.

In alternative embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 doesnot comprise the heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member225 may be performed directly, e.g. by applying energy to the haircontact member 225 itself. In either case, heating of the hair contactmember 225 is controlled such that the operating temperature of the haircontact member 225 varies along the tress.

FIG. 4 shows a method 400 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 400 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 4 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to a tress ofhair via the hair-contactable surface by movement of the hair contactmember 225 along the tress of hair between a first end of the tress anda second end of the tress. In these embodiments, the hairstyling device100 also comprises sensor equipment 230 configured to generate sensoroutput indicative of current use of the hairstyling device 100. Inembodiments, the method 400 is performed at least in part by thecontroller 210.

In step 410, the sensor output is received from the sensor equipment230.

In step 420, based on the sensor output, it is determined that the haircontact member 225 is at the first end of the tress or the second end ofthe tress.

In step 430, the hairstyling device 100 is controlled to perform anaction based on the determining.

By determining that the hair contact member 225 is at the first end ofthe tress (e.g. the hair-root end of the tress), the start of the passis detected. Similarly, by determining that the hair contact member 225is at the second end of the tress (e.g. the hair-tip end of the tress),the end of the pass is detected. As such, the boundaries of the pass(namely the start and end) are identified by the hairstyling device 100,and used to control the hairstyling device 100. This enables a finerand/or more intelligent control of the hairstyling device 100 comparedto a case in which the boundaries of a pass are not identified.

The first end may be located at the hair-root or at an intermediatepoint on the tress. The second end may similarly be located at thehair-tip or at an intermediate point on the tress. In embodiments, thefirst end comprises the hair-root end of the tress, and the second endcomprises the hair-tip end of the tress.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on the determining performed in step 420. For example, where thehairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element 220, the heatingelement 220 may be controlled based on the determining performed in step420. As such, the method 400 may comprise controlling the heatingelement 220 based on a determination that the hair contact member 225 isat the first end of the tress or at the second end of the tress. Othercomponents and/or functions of the hairstyling device 100 may becontrolled based on the determining performed in step 420 in alternativeembodiments.

In embodiments, in response to determining that the hair contact member225 is at the first (e.g. hair-root) end of the tress, an amount ofenergy used to heat the hair contact member 225 (e.g. an amount ofenergy applied to the heating element 220) is increased. In response todetermining that the hair contact member 225 is at the second (e.g.hair-tip) end of the tress, an amount of energy used to heat the haircontact member 225 is decreased. Therefore, the amount of energy used toheat the hair contact member 225 may be increased at the start of thepass (thereby to cause heating of the hair in the tress), and may bedecreased at the end of the pass (when heating of hair is no longerbeing performed). This reduces power consumption compared to a case inwhich a constant amount of energy is used to heat the hair contactmember 225 throughout use of the hairstyling device 100. Controllingheating of the hair contact member 225 in this manner allows apredetermined temperature delivery profile (e.g. a temperature ramp) tobe applied along the tress. In embodiments, the amount of energy usedfor heating the hair contact member 225 is increased at a predeterminedrate as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress. Inalternative embodiments, the amount of energy used to heat the haircontact member 225 and/or the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 is constant along the tress. In such alternative embodiments,the amount of energy used to heat the hair contact member 225 isdecreased at the end of the pass (when it is determined that the haircontact member 225 is at the second end of the tress), thereby reducingpower consumption.

In embodiments, the sensor output indicates a use characteristic of thehairstyling device 100. The use characteristic is indicative of currentuse of the hairstyling device 100. The use characteristic may be atime-varying characteristic. In embodiments, the use characteristic isindicative of movement of the hair contact member 225. In embodiments,the use characteristic comprises a speed of the hair contact member 225(e.g. as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress). As such,the determination that the hair contact member 225 is at the first endor the second end of the tress may be based on the speed of the haircontact member 225. For example, the speed of the hair contact member225 may be lower at the ends of the tress compared to when the haircontact member 225 is moving along the tress. In embodiments, the usecharacteristic indicates whether or not the hair contact member 225 isin motion.

In embodiments, the use characteristic comprises a position of the haircontact member 225, e.g. a displacement from the first end of the tress.As such, the determination that the hair contact member 225 is at thefirst end or the second end of the tress may be based on a determinedposition of the hair contact member 225. This may be calculated, forexample, based on signals received from the IMU 235. A first positionmay be associated with the first end of the tress, and a second positionmay be associated with the second end. The position(s) are defined asco-ordinates in three-dimensional space in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, the position(s) are defined as one-dimensional values, e.g.as distances from a known or predetermined location.

In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is moveable between an openconfiguration and a closed configuration. In such embodiments, the usecharacteristic indicates whether the hair contact member 225 is in theopen configuration or the closed configuration. In embodiments, thesensor equipment 230 comprises a Hall effect sensor. As such, thedetermination that the hair contact member 225 is at the first end orthe second end of the tress may be on the basis of movement between theopen configuration and the closed configuration of the hair contactmember 225. For example, the hair contact member 225 may move from theopen configuration to the closed configuration when the hair contactmember 225 is at the hair-root end of the tress (e.g. at the start of apass), and move from the closed configuration to the open configurationwhen the hair contact member 225 is at the hair-tip end of the tress(e.g. at the end of a pass). The hairstyling device 100 can thus detectthe start and/or end of a pass without the need for user input.

In embodiments, for example where the sensor equipment 230 comprises theIMU 235, the use characteristic is indicative of movement of the haircontact member 225. In some such embodiments, the sensor output isprocessed using a velocity and/or position estimation algorithm (e.g.comprising a Madgwick filter and/or a machine learning model). This isdescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 above.

In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is determined to be movingaway from the first end of the tress towards the second end of thetress. Such a determination may be performed on the basis of signalsreceived from the IMU 235, for example. Heating of the hair contactmember 225 may be controlled based on such a determination. For example,heating of the hair contact member 225 may be controlled to implement apredetermined heat delivery profile as the hair contact member 225 movesalong the tress.

In embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 does not comprisethe heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member 225 may becontrolled by applying energy to the hair contact member 225 directly.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 500 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 5 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to hair of auser via the hair-contactable surface. In these embodiments, thehairstyling device 100 also comprises the IMU 235. The IMU 235 isconfigured to output signals dependent on movement of the hair contactmember 225. In embodiments, the method 500 is performed at least in partby the controller 210.

In step 510, one or more signals are received from the IMU 235,indicating that the hair contact member 225 is moving along a tress ofhair from a first end of the tress to a second end of the tress.

In step 520, the received one or more signals are processed to determinea displacement of the hair contact member 225 from the first end of thetress.

In step 530, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled basedon the determined displacement.

By controlling heating of the hair contact member 225 based on thedetermined displacement of the hair contact member 225 from the firstend of the tress (e.g. the hair-root end of the tress), heat deliveryand/or distribution along the tress can be controlled and/or adapted. Assuch, a target heat delivery profile along the tress can be achieved bydetermining the displacement of the hair contact member 225 at a giventime, and controlling heating of the hair contact member 225accordingly. In alternative embodiments, the received one or moresignals are processed to determine a displacement of the hair contactmember 225 from the second end of the tress (e.g. the hair-tip end ofthe tress).

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element220 operable to heat the hair contact member 225. In such embodiments,controlling heating of the hair contact member 225 comprises controllingthe heating element 220.

In embodiments, the first end comprises the hair-root end of the tress,and the second end comprises the hair-tip end of the tress. The firstend may be located at the hair-root or at an intermediate point on thetress. The second end may similarly be located at the hair-tip or at anintermediate point on the tress.

In embodiments, an amount of energy used to heat the hair contact member225 (e.g. an amount of energy applied to the heating element 220) isadjusted based on the determined displacement. This allows a heatdelivery profile which varies along the tress to be achieved. Forexample, the amount of energy used to heat the hair contact member 225may be increased as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress.As such, the amount of energy used to heat the hair contact member 225may be dependent on the displacement of the hair contact member 225 fromthe first end of the tress. This enables a desired style to be achieved,whilst reducing styling time and reducing the likelihood of thermaldamage to the hair.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on a predetermined threshold operating temperature of the haircontact member 225. For example, heating of the hair contact member 225may be controlled to keep the operating temperature of the hair contactmember 225 above the predetermined threshold operating temperature. Thepredetermined threshold operating temperature is dependent on thedetermined displacement of the hair contact member 225 from the firstend of the tress. For example, the predetermined threshold operatingtemperature may be lower when the hair contact member 225 is relativelyclose to the hair-root end, and may be higher when the hair contactmember 225 is relatively far from the hair-root end (or close to thehair-tip end). Therefore, different operating temperatures of the haircontact member 225 may be used for different displacements. This enablesa dynamic, or varying, heat delivery profile along the tress to beapplied to the hair.

In embodiments, the one or more signals are processed to determine alength of the tress between the first end and the second end. Thedetermined length may be used to determine the displacement of the haircontact member 225 from the first end. Determining the displacementusing the length of the tress may be more accurate than a comparativecase in which the tress length is not determined. Further, using thelength of the tress enables relative displacements to be determined, inaddition to or alternatively to absolute displacements. For example, ata given time it may be determined that the hair contact member 225 ishalfway along the tress between the first end and the second end, andheating of the hair contact member 225 can be controlled accordingly(e.g. to apply predetermined heating to hair that is halfway between thefirst end and the second end). This enables desired heat deliveryprofiles to be implemented along the tress. In embodiments, absolutedisplacements are used to implement heat delivery profiles, e.g. using apredetermined tress length. This may be easier to implement live than amethod in which the tress length is measured. A given section of thetress that is longer than the predetermined length may receive themaximum temperature of the heat delivery profile. In embodiments, theposition of the hair contact member 225 relative to the user's head isdetermined, and used with a predetermined tress length to determine adisplacement from the first end of the tress.

In embodiments, a first signal is received from the IMU 235 indicatingthat the hair contact member 225 is moving along the tress in a firstpass. The first received signal is processed to determine a length ofthe tress. A second signal is then received from the IMU 235 indicatingthat the hair contact member 225 is moving along the tress in a secondpass, subsequent to the first pass. The second signal is processed usingthe determined length to determine the displacement of the hair contactmember 225 from the first end. Therefore, the length of the tress may bedetermined from IMU data on a first pass along the tress, and thedetermined length is then used on a second pass, along with IMU data, todetermine the displacement along the tress at a given time. This mayprovide a more accurate value of the displacement than a comparativecase in which the length of the tress is not previously determined. Thefirst and the second pass may both be part of the same hairstylingsession, or may be part of different hairstyling sessions. For example,the first pass may be from a previous hairstyling session. Inalternative embodiments, both the tress length and the displacement aredetermined on the same pass. This involves fewer passes, and thereforeless time and/or power consumption, than a case in which the tresslength and displacement are determined on different passes.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled tocause the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 toincrease as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress from thehair-root end towards the hair-tip end. Providing a heat deliveryprofile that increases from the hair-root end towards the hair-tip endof the tress reduces the likelihood of thermal damage, whilst ensuringthat sufficiently high temperatures are delivered to hair at thehair-tip end to achieve a desired style.

In embodiments, the received signals from the IMU 235 are processedusing a Madgwick filter. This is described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 3 above. In embodiments, the received signal is processed usinga machine learning model, as described above.

In alternative embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 doesnot comprise the heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member225 may be controlled by applying energy to the hair contact member 225directly.

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 600 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 6 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises the IMU235. The IMU 235 is configured to output signals dependent on movementof the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, the method 600 isperformed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 610, a signal is received from the IMU 235, indicating movementof the hairstyling device 100 along a tress of hair between a first endof the tress and a second end of the tress.

In step 620, the received signal is processed to determine a length ofthe tress between the first end and the second end.

In step 630, the hairstyling device 100 is controlled to perform anaction based on the determined length.

By determining the length of the tress, more useful informationregarding the hair of the user can be obtained and utilised. Forexample, styling advice and/or feedback may be provided, e.g. via a userinterface of the hairstyling device 100, in dependence on the tresslength. Different styling advice may be appropriate for different tresslengths. Therefore, by determining the tress length from IMU data, thestyling advice provided by the hairstyling device 100 can be tailored toa specific user. Additionally or alternatively, the determined tresslength can be used to control one or more operating settings of thehairstyling device 100, e.g. an operating temperature, thereby enablingoperational control to be tailored based on the tress length of theuser.

In embodiments, the received signal is processed to determine a lengthbetween a hair-root end of the tress and a hair-tip end of the tress.The hairstyling device 100 may be controlled based on the determinedlength. The first end may be located at the hair-root or at anintermediate point on the tress. The second end may similarly be locatedat the hair-tip or at an intermediate point on the tress.

In embodiments, a displacement of the hairstyling device 100 from thefirst end of the tress is determined, using the determined length. Thehairstyling device 100 may be controlled based on the determineddisplacement. Such a determined displacement may be more accurate thanin a comparative case in which the displacement is not determined usingthe tress length. By more accurately determining the displacement of thehairstyling device 100 from the first end, greater control of a heatingprofile along the tress can be achieved. Determining the displacement ofthe hairstyling device 100 from the first end of the tress allows heatdelivery and/or distribution along the tress to be controlled and/oradapted. As such, a target heat delivery profile along the tress can beachieved by determining the displacement of the hair contact member 225at a given moment, and controlling the hairstyling device 100accordingly.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heatingelement 220 operable to cause heat to be applied to hair of a user, theheating element 220 may be controlled based on the determined length. Inembodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises the hair contactmember 225, the heating element 220 may be controlled based on a targetoperating temperature of the hair contact member 225. The targetoperating temperature may be dependent on the determined length. Assuch, the hair may be heated differently by the hairstyling device 100for tresses of different lengths. This allows the hairstyling device 100to be tailored to the hair of the user, thereby reducing styling timeand/or facilitating a desired style, compared to a case in which theoperating temperature does not depend on the tress length.

In embodiments, a user interface is caused to provide an output relatingto the determined length. In some embodiments, the user interface iscomprised in the hairstyling device 100, e.g. the user interface 240. Inalternative embodiments, the user interface is not comprised in thehairstyling device 100, for example the user interface may be comprisedin a charging device for the hairstyling device or in an app installedon a mobile telephony device. The output may comprise an audio and/orvisual output. In embodiments, the output comprises styling adviceand/or feedback dependent on the determined length. For example, firststyling advice may be provided if the determined length is below apredetermined threshold length, and second styling advice, differentfrom the first styling advice, may be provided if the determined lengthis above the predetermined threshold length. As such, tailored feedbackand/or advice can be provided to a user, thereby assisting the user inusing the hairstyling device 100 in a more efficient and/or optimalmanner.

In embodiments, based on the determined length, a section and/or layerof hair that is being styled using the hairstyling device 100 isdetermined. In such embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 iscontrolled in dependence on the determined section and/or layer of hairthat is being styled. For example, specific styling advice and/orfeedback may be provided to the user depending on which section and/orlayer of hair is being styled. A crown section of the user's hair mayhave a different tress length compared to a nape section of the user'shair, and by determining which section is being styled, the hairstylingdevice 100 can be controlled differently (e.g. by providing tailoredfeedback via a user interface, and/or by controlling heating) fordifferent sections.

In embodiments, the determined length is stored in a memory, e.g. thememory 250 of the hairstyling device 100. This allows the determinedlength to be retrieved and used at subsequent times, for example forsubsequent passes and/or uses of the hairstyling device 100. Inembodiments, the determined length is determined for a first pass alongthe tress, stored in the memory 250, and then used to determine adisplacement of the hair contact member 225 moving along the tress in asecond pass. In some embodiments, the determined length is stored foranalysis of the user's hair. In embodiments, the determined length isstored to enable one or more settings of the hairstyling device 100 tobe tailored to the hair of the user. For example, a user hairstylingprofile may be generated for the user, based at least in part on thedetermined tress length. Such a user hairstyling profile may be used toprovide feedback and/or advice to the user, and/or may be used tocontrol one or more settings of the hairstyling device 100 duringsubsequent uses of the hairstyling device 100 by the user. Inembodiments, the hairstyling device 100 is configured to generate and/orstore multiple user hairstyling profiles for different users. That is,multiple users can each use the same hairstyling device 100, thedifferent users having, for example, different lengths of hair, and thehairstyling device 100 can store tailored profiles for each user (eitherlocally or remotely), to allow the settings of the hairstyling device100 to adapt to the different users.

In embodiments, the received signal is processed using a Madgwickfilter. This is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 above.In embodiments, the received signal is processed using a machinelearning model, as described above.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 700 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 7 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225. The hair contact member 225 comprisesopposing first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. The haircontact member 225 is movable between a closed configured and an openconfiguration. The hairstyling device 100 comprises sensor equipment 230configured to generate a sensor output indicating whether the haircontact member 225 is in the closed configuration or in the openconfiguration. In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises acordless hairstyling device. In embodiments, the method 700 is performedat least in part by the controller 210.

In step 710, the sensor output is received from the sensor equipment230.

In step 720, in response to the sensor output indicating that the haircontact member 225 is in the closed configuration, heating of the haircontact member 225 is controlled based on a first predeterminedthreshold operating temperature of the hair contact member 225.

In step 730, in response to the sensor output indicating that the haircontact member 225 is in the open configuration, heating of the haircontact member 225 is controlled based on a second predeterminedthreshold operating temperature of the hair contact member 225. Thesecond predetermined threshold operating temperature is lower than thefirst predetermined threshold operating temperature.

As such, the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 iscaused to be lower when the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration compared to when the hair contact member 225 is in theclosed configuration. This allows for a reduction in power consumption,whilst maintaining the ability of the hair contact member 225 to delivera desired amount of heat to hair.

When the hair contact member 225 is in the open configuration, theopposing first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are spacedapart, and when the hair contact member 225 is in the closedconfiguration, the opposing first and second hair-contactable surfaces116, 126 may be brought together. In embodiments, a distance between thefirst and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is less than apredetermined threshold distance when the hair contact member 225 is inthe closed configuration, and is greater than the predeterminedthreshold distance when the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration. In some cases, the first and second hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 abut each other when the hair contact member 225 is inthe closed configuration. In other cases, the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 do not abut each other when the haircontact member 225 is in the closed configuration.

When the hair contact member 225 is in the closed configuration, hairengaged between the opposing first and second hair-contactable surfaces116, 126 is styled, e.g. by application of heat and/or mechanicalpressure. However, in embodiments, when the hair contact member 225 isin the open configuration, styling of hair does not occur. The haircontact member 225 may be in the open configuration when there is nohair between the opposing hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126, forexample. In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration when the hair contact member 225 is dormant, e.g. not inuse. In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration when the hairstyling device 100 is between passes. Forexample, a first pass along a tress of hair may be performed (with thehair contact member 225 in the closed configuration), and the haircontact member 225 may then be moved to the open configuration before asecond pass along a tress of hair is started. Moving the hair contactmember 225 to the open configuration may involve releasing hair that isengaged between the hair-contactable surfaces. Therefore, powerconsumption is reduced by lowering the threshold operating temperaturewhen hair is not engaged between the hair-contactable surfaces.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element220 operable to heat the hair contact member 225. In such embodiments,controlling heating of the hair contact member 225 comprises controllingthe heating element 220.

In embodiments, in response to the sensor output indicating that thehair contact member 225 is in the closed configuration, heating of thehair contact member 225 is controlled to cause the operating temperatureof the hair contact member 225 to stay above the first predeterminedthreshold operating temperature. In response to the sensor outputindicating that the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled tocause the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 to stayabove the second predetermined threshold operating temperature.

In embodiments, in response to the sensor output indicating that thehair contact member 225 is in the closed configuration, energy isapplied to heat the hair contact member 225 when the operatingtemperature of the hair contact member 225 falls below the firstpredetermined threshold operating temperature. In response to the sensoroutput indicating that the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration, energy is applied to heat the hair contact member 225when the operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 fallsbelow the second predetermined threshold operating temperature.

In embodiments, in response to the sensor output indicating that thehair contact member 225 is in the closed configuration, a first amountof energy is applied to heat the hair contact member 225 (e.g. a firstamount of energy is applied to the heating element 220). In response tothe sensor output indicating that the hair contact member 225 is in theopen configuration, a second amount of energy is applied to heat thehair contact member 225 (e.g. a second amount of energy is applied tothe heating element 220). The second amount of energy is lower than thefirst amount of energy. As such, less energy may be applied to heat thehair contact member 225 when the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration, thereby reducing power consumption.

In embodiments, the sensor equipment 230 comprises a Hall effect sensor.In some such embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a magnetcoupled to the first hair-contactable surface 116, and the Hall effectsensor is coupled to the second hair-contactable surface 126. Sensoroutput generated by such a Hall effect sensor can be used to determinewhether the hair contact member 225 is in the open or the closedconfiguration, e.g. whether a distance between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is greater than or less than apredetermined threshold distance. In embodiments, the sensor equipment230 comprises the IMU 235. As such, the determination of whether thehair contact member 225 is in the open configuration or the closedconfiguration may be based on sensed movement of the hair contact member225.

In embodiments, the second predetermined threshold operating temperatureis at least 50 degrees lower than the first predetermined thresholdoperating temperature.

In embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 does not comprisethe heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member 225 may becontrolled by applying energy to the hair contact member 225 directly.

FIG. 8 shows a method 800 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 800 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 8 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to hair viathe hair-contactable surface 116, 126. In embodiments, the method 800 isperformed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 810, power draw associated with heating of the hair contactmember 225 during heating of hair of a user via the hair-contactablesurface 116, 126 is monitored.

In step 820, based on the monitored power draw, one or more hair damageparameters are calculated, indicative of damage of the heated hair.

In step 830, the hairstyling device 100 is controlled based on the oneor more calculated hair damage parameters.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element220 operable to heat the hair contact member 225. In such embodiments,the one or more hair damage parameters are calculated based on monitoredpower drawn by the heating element 220 to heat the hair contact member225. In alternative embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100does not comprise the heating element 220, the one or more hair damageparameters are calculated based on monitored power drawn by the haircontact member 225 itself.

In embodiments, the one or more calculated hair damage parameters areindicative of at least one of physical damage, thermal damage andchemical damage of the heated hair.

In embodiments, the one or more calculated hair damage parameters areindicative of pre-existing damage of the heated hair. The hair may havepreviously suffered damage due to, for example, overheating (causingthermal damage), chemical treatment (causing chemical damage), too muchclamping pressure applied and/or too many repeated passes (causingmechanical damage), etc. Therefore, pre-existing damage to the hair maybe taken into account when controlling the hairstyling device 100.Controlling the hairstyling device 100 in view of the hair damage mayinvolve, for example, controlling heating of the hair and/or providingfeedback to the user, as will be described in more detail below.

Damaged hair may retain less moisture than undamaged hair, e.g. due tointernal structural changes in the hair. The amount of moisture retainedby the hair in turn affects the power draw associated with the haircontact member 225 in trying to heat the hair. Therefore, a measure ofhair damage can be obtained by monitoring the power draw associated withthe hair contact member 225 (e.g. the power drawn by the heating element220) to heat the hair. For example, the power drawn by the heatingelement 220 to heat the hair to a given temperature may be relativelyhigh for damaged hair (retaining less moisture), and may be relativelylow for undamaged hair (retaining more moisture). The power draw may bemeasured using a power meter, ammeter, multimeter, etc. functionincorporated into the hairstyling device.

In embodiments, the one or more calculated hair damage parameters areindicative of predicted damage due to the heating of the heated hair. Inother words, the power draw associated with heating of the hair contactmember 225 can be used to predict whether and/or to what extent the hairwill be damaged due to the heating. Such damage may be in addition topre-existing damage. As such, in embodiments, the one or more calculatedhair damage parameters are indicative of both pre-existing damage andpredicted damage to the heated hair. For example, if the hair is damagedsuch that less moisture is retained compared to undamaged hair, theremay be an increased likelihood of further damage being done to the hairdue to heating. By monitoring the power draw associated with heating thehair contact member 225 and determining the one or more hair damageparameters, such predicted future hair damage may be avoided. Inalternative embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters areindicative only of predicted damage (not of pre-existing damage).

In embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters are indicative ofa type of damage, e.g. chemical damage, thermal damage or mechanicaldamage. Such a type of damage may be determined based on the power drawassociated with heating the hair contact member 225. For example,chemically damaged hair may retain less moisture than thermally damagedhair. In embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters areindicative of an extent of hair damage. The one or more hair damageparameters may comprise values on an incremental scale, ranging from 0:‘undamaged’ to 10: ‘very damaged’, for example.

In embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters are calculated bymonitoring power draw associated with heating of the hair contact member225 to cause an operating temperature of the hair contact member 225 tostay above a predetermined threshold operating temperature. For example,the heating element 220 may draw more power to keep the operatingtemperature of the hair contact member 225 above the predeterminedthreshold for damaged hair compared to undamaged hair. The power drawnby the heating element 220 is indicative of the power draw associatedwith heating of the hair contact member 225 during heating of the hair.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensorequipment 230 configured to generate a sensor output dependent onmovement of the hair contact member 225, the one or more hair damageparameters may be calculated based on the sensor output. The power drawnby the heating element 220 to heat the hair contact member 225 may bedependent on the movement of the hair contact member 225. Therefore, bytaking the movement of the hair contact member 225 into account, the oneor more hair damage parameters can be calculated more accurately fromthe monitored power.

In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat tothe hair of the user by movement of the hair contact member 225 along atress of hair between a hair-root end and a hair-tip end of the tress. Adisplacement of the hair contact member 225 may be determined, based onthe sensor output. In such embodiments, the one or more hair damageparameters are calculated based on the determined displacement. Thepower draw associated with heating of the hair contact member 225 may bedependent on where the hair contact member 225 is in the tress, e.g.relative to the hair-root end or the hair-tip end. This is at leastpartly due to the tress typically being thicker at the hair-root end andthinner at the hair-tip end. Therefore, by taking the displacement ofthe hair contact member 225 from the hair-root end of the tress intoaccount, the one or more hair damage parameters can be calculated moreaccurately from the monitored power.

In embodiments, it is determined, based on the sensor output, whetherthe hair contact member 225 is in motion. The one or more hair damageparameters may be calculated based on determining whether the haircontact member 225 is in motion. The power draw associated with heatingthe hair contact member 225 may be dependent on whether the hair contactmember 225 is in motion. Therefore, by taking the movement of the haircontact member 225 into account, the one or more hair damage parameterscan be calculated more accurately from the monitored power.

In embodiments, it is determined whether the heated hair has been heatedpreviously by the hairstyling device 100. The one or more hair damageparameters may be calculated in dependence on whether the heated hairhas been heated previously by the hairstyling device 100. The power drawassociated with heating of the hair contact member 225 may be dependenton whether the heated hair has been heated previously by the hairstylingdevice 100. Therefore, by taking previous heating of the hair intoaccount, the one or more hair damage parameters can be calculated moreaccurately from the monitored power. Previous heating of hair by thehairstyling device 100 may comprise heating during a previoushairstyling session, and/or heating during a previous pass within thecurrent hairstyling session. Heating hair that has previously beenheated may draw less power to the heating element 220 than heating hairthat has not previously been heated. Further, heating hair that haspreviously been heated may increase a likelihood of thermal and/ormechanical damage being done to the hair.

In embodiments, it is determined whether the heated hair has been heatedpreviously during a predetermined time period. The one or more hairdamage parameters may be calculated in dependence on whether the heatedhair has been heated previously during the predetermined time period.The predetermined time period may correspond to the current hairstylingsession, for example. As such, the one or more hair damage parametersmay be calculated in dependence on whether the heated hair has alreadybeen heated during the current hairstyling session.

In embodiments, a section and/or layer of the hair of the user that isbeing heated via the hair-contactable surface is determined. The one ormore hair damage parameters may be calculated based on the determinedsection and/or layer of the hair. In embodiments, the section and/orlayer that is being styled is determined using sensor data, e.g. IMUsignals indicative of movement of the hair contact member 225. The powerdraw associated with heating of hair contact member 225 may be dependenton which section and/or layer of hair is being styled. Therefore, bytaking the section and/or layer of hair into account, the one or morehair damage parameters can be calculated more accurately from themonitored power.

Hence, in embodiments, one or more factors which may affect therelationship between the power draw associated with heating the haircontact member 225 and the hair damage parameters are filtered out, oraccounted for, in order to improve the accuracy of the calculation ofthe hair damage parameters. Such factors include the motion of the haircontact member 225, the displacement of the hair contact member 225along the tress, whether and/or when the hair has previously beenheated, and what section and/or layer of hair is being styled. Otherfactors may be determined and taken into account in alternativeembodiments.

In embodiments, a user interface is caused to provide an output based onthe one or more calculated hair damage parameters. The output maycomprise a notification notifying the user that the hair being heated isdamaged and/or is likely to become damaged. In embodiments, thenotification notifies the user of the type of damage to the hair. Inembodiments, the notification notifies the user of a location of thehair that is damaged and/or is likely to become damaged. For example,the user may be notified which section and/or layer of hair comprisesdamaged hair. In embodiments, the output comprises an alert relating tothe hair damage parameters. In embodiments, the output comprises anotification notifying the user to take corrective action. For example,the notification may notify the user to cease heating the hair, in orderto avoid damage/further damage being done to the hair. The notificationmay alternatively notify the user to adjust the operating temperature ofthe hair contact member 225 100, adjust the speed at which the usermoves the hair contact member 225, and/or adjust the clamping pressureapplied by the user to the hair.

The user interface may be comprised in the hairstyling device 100. Forexample, the user interface may comprise the user interface 240described with reference to FIG. 2 above. In alternative embodiments,the user interface is not comprised in the hairstyling device 100. Theuser interface may be comprised in a remote device communicativelycoupled (e.g. via wireless communications) to the hairstyling device100. Such a remote device may comprise a user device or a dockingstation, for example.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on the one or more calculated hair damage parameters. For example,where the hairstyling device comprises the heating element 220, theheating element 220 may be controlled based on the one or morecalculated hair damage parameters. In embodiments, an amount of energyapplied to the heating element 220 is adjusted based on the one or morecalculated hair damage parameters. This can reduce and/or avoid damageand/or further damage being done to the hair. In embodiments, theoperating temperature of the hair contact member 225 is reduced if it isdetermined that the hair is damaged. In alternative embodiments, theoperating temperature of the hair contact member 225 is increased if itis determined that the hair is damaged. Damaged hair may require agreater amount of heat to style in a desired manner, for example. Inembodiments, it may be determined that the extent and/or type of hairdamage is such that the likelihood and/or effect of further damage isnegligible. In some embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225(e.g. by the heating element 220) is prevented based on the one or morecalculated hair damage parameters. As such, heating of the hair via thehair contact member 225 may be ceased, thereby to reduce and/or avoiddamage and/or further damage to the hair.

In alternative embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 doesnot comprise the heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member225 may be controlled by applying energy to the hair contact member 225directly. In such embodiments, the power draw associated with heating ofthe hair contact member 225 may be monitored directly (rather than bymonitoring the power drawn by the heating element 220 to heat the haircontact member 225), and used to calculate the one or more hair damageparameters.

FIG. 9 shows a method 900 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 900 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 9 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensorequipment 230 configured to generate sensor output dependent on at leastone use characteristic of the hairstyling device 100. The at least oneuse characteristic is indicative of current use of the hairstylingdevice 100. In embodiments, the method 900 is performed at least in partby the controller 210.

In step 910, the sensor output is received from the sensor equipment230.

In step 920, the sensor output is processed using a classificationalgorithm to obtain classification data. The classification algorithm isconfigured to determine whether the hairstyling device 100 is being usedaccording to a first styling behaviour or a second, different stylingbehaviour based on the at least one use characteristic of thehairstyling device 100.

In step 930, the hairstyling device 100 is controlled to perform anaction using the classification data.

As such, the hairstyling device 100 is able to determine a stylingbehaviour that is currently being used, based on sensor data. By usingthe sensor data as an input to a classification algorithm, stylingbehaviours can be recognised without the need for user input. Thehairstyling device 100 can therefore autonomously identify how the useris using the hairstyling device 100, and adapt itself accordingly. Thisallows for a more intelligent control of the hairstyling device 100. Forexample, one or more operating settings of the hairstyling device 100can be controlled according to the identified behaviour. This allows thesettings of the hairstyling device 100 to correspond more closely withhow the user is trying to use the hairstyling device 100. This canreduce the styling time, and/or increase the likelihood that desiredstyles can be achieved. Further, this can reduce the likelihood of hairbeing damaged, e.g. by the user using incorrect and/or suboptimalsettings for a given styling behaviour.

In embodiments, the first styling behaviour comprises a hairstraightening behaviour, and the second styling behaviour comprises anon-straightening behaviour, e.g. a hair curling behaviour. The at leastone use characteristic may be different for hair straightening comparedto hair curling. For example, a user may move the hairstyling device 100differently depending on whether the user is trying to straighten orcurl hair. Hair curling involves a greater amount of rotation of thehairstyling device 100 compared to hair straightening, for example. Assuch, the classification algorithm may be configured to distinguishbetween hair straightening and hair curling using sensor data. Inembodiments, it is determined that the hairstyling device 100 is notbeing used to straighten hair, and such a determination is used to inferthat the hairstyling device 100 is being used to curl hair, orvice-versa. In embodiments, different operating settings of thehairstyling device 100 may be used depending on whether the hairstylingdevice 100 is determined as being used for hair straightening ornon-hair straightening, e.g. hair curling. For example, it may bedesired to use lower operating temperatures for hair curling compared tohair straightening, in order to achieve the desired style whilstreducing the likelihood of hair damage. This may be due to the passduration being longer and/or the pass speed being slower for haircurling than for hair straightening. In embodiments, different heatdelivery profiles may be determined and/or used depending on whether thehairstyling device 100 is determined as being used for hairstraightening or hair curling.

In embodiments, the first styling behaviour comprises a full-stylebehaviour, and the second styling behaviour comprises a touch-upbehaviour. The at least one use characteristic may be different for afull-style compared to a touch-up. For example, a user may move thehairstyling device 100 differently depending on whether the user isperforming a full-style or a touch-up. A full-style may involve stylingalong the entire tress length, whereas a touch-up may involve stylingonly a part of the tress length (e.g. the tip-end of the tress).Additionally or alternatively, a full-style may involve styling the hairfrom scratch (e.g. where the hair has not been styled previously, or notstyled previously during a predetermined time period), whereas atouch-up may involve modifying or restoring an existing style. As such,the classification algorithm may be configured to distinguish between afull-style and a touch-up using sensor data. In embodiments, differentoperating settings of the hairstyling device 100 may be used dependingon whether the hairstyling device 100 is determined as being used for afull-style or a touch-up. For example, it may be desirable to use higheroperating temperatures for a touch-up compared to a full-style. Inembodiments, different heat delivery profiles may be determined and/orused depending on whether the hairstyling device 100 is determined asbeing used for a full-style or a touch up. For example, constant heatdelivery profile may be used for a touch up, whereas a varying heatdelivery profile may be used for a full-style.

In embodiments, the first styling behaviour comprises a wet hair stylingbehaviour, and the second styling behaviour comprises a dry hair stylingbehaviour. The at least one use characteristic may be different for wethair compared to dry hair. For example, the power drawn by thehairstyling device 100 during use may depend on whether the hair is wetor dry. Whether the hair is wet or dry may be determined, for example,by using a capacitive sensor, a moisture sensor, and/or by monitoringthe power draw during heating of the hair. As such, the classificationalgorithm may be configured to distinguish between wet hair styling anddry hair styling using sensor data. In embodiments, different operatingsettings of the hairstyling device 100 may be used depending on whetherthe hairstyling device 100 is determined as being used on wet hair ordry hair. In some cases, using the hairstyling device 100 on wet hairmay increase a risk of damaging the hair compared to using thehairstyling device 100 on dry hair. In some such examples, a userinterface may be caused to provide an output advising the user not touse the hairstyling device 100 on wet hair, in order to avoid damagingthe hair. In other examples, one or more operating settings of thehairstyling device 100 may be adjusted depending on whether thehairstyling device 100 is determined as being used on wet hair or dryhair.

Other styling behaviours may be identified by the classificationalgorithm in alternative embodiments. For example, the classificationalgorithm may be configured to determine which section and/or layer ofhair is being styled. In some examples, the classification algorithm isconfigured to determine whether the hairstyling device 100 is currentlybeing used, is stationary due to being charging (e.g. is dormant), or isstationary due to the user moving between sections and/or layers ofhair.

In embodiments, the classification algorithm comprises a trainedalgorithm. The classification algorithm is trained to determine whetherthe hairstyling device 100 is being used according to the first stylingbehaviour or the second styling behaviour using training data. Usingsuch a trained algorithm results in a more accurate and/or reliableclassification of styling behaviours compared to a case in which atrained algorithm is not used.

In embodiments, the classification algorithm comprises a machinelearning algorithm. Such a machine learning algorithm may improve (e.g.increase accuracy and/or reliability of classification) throughexperience and/or training. In embodiments, the classification algorithmcomprises a Random Forest algorithm. Such an algorithm may use aplurality of decision trees. The classification data may be obtainedbased on an average of the output classes of the individual trees. Othertypes of classification algorithm may be used in alternativeembodiments. In embodiments, the classification algorithm comprises afirst step of performing feature extraction on the sensor output, and asecond step of performing behaviour classification using the extractedfeatures. In embodiments, the machine learning algorithm comprises oneor more artificial neural networks.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a machine learningagent (not shown). The machine learning agent may be comprised in thecontroller 210, for example. In such embodiments, the machine learningagent comprises the classification algorithm. As such, theclassification algorithm may be located on the hairstyling device 100.Performing the classification of styling behaviours on the hairstylingdevice 100 reduces latency compared to a case in which theclassification algorithm is not located on the hairstyling device 100,since data is not required to be transmitted to and/or received fromanother device. This enables the classification data to be obtained morequickly, thereby reducing the time taken for any corrective action to betaken, e.g. adjusting one or more operating settings of the hairstylingdevice 100. This in turn may reduce the likelihood of damage being doneto the hair, e.g. due to the operating settings not corresponding to theintended use of the hairstyling device 100.

In embodiments, for example where the sensor equipment 230 comprises theIMU 235, the at least one use characteristic is indicative of movementof the hairstyling device 100. As such, the styling behaviour may bedetermined based on how the hairstyling device 100 is being moved. Inembodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises a hair contactmember 225 comprising opposing first and second hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126, the hair contact member 225 being moveable between anopen configuration and a closed configuration, the at least one usecharacteristic may be indicative of whether the hair contact member 225is in the open configuration or in the closed configuration. The sensorequipment 230 may comprise a Hall effect sensor, for example, operableto sense whether the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration or in the closed configuration. As such, the stylingbehaviour may be determined based on whether and/or when the haircontact member 225 is in the open and closed configurations.

In embodiments, the classification algorithm is modified using thesensor output. As such, the classification algorithm may be trainedand/or further trained using the sensor output. Modifying theclassification algorithm allows the accuracy and/or reliability of thealgorithm to improve through experience and/or using more training data.That is, a confidence level of the classification data may be increased.Further, modifying the classification algorithm allows theclassification algorithm to be tailored to the user. For example, aninitial classification algorithm may be provided on the hairstylingdevice 100, but the initial classification algorithm does not take intoaccount specific behaviours and/or activities of a given user. The usermay move the hair contact member 225 in a particular manner, differentfrom other users, for example. By using the sensor output as trainingdata to dynamically re-train the classification algorithm, theclassification algorithm can more reliably determine which stylingbehaviour the user is trying to use.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heatingelement 220 operable to cause heat to be applied to hair, the heatingelement 220 may be controlled based on the classification data. As such,the heating element 220 may be controlled in dependence on whether thehairstyling device 100 is being used according to the first stylingbehaviour or the second styling behaviour. In embodiments, the heatingelement 220 is controlled to apply a predetermined heat delivery profilealong a tress of hair. The predetermined heat delivery profile isdependent on whether the hairstyling device 100 is being used accordingto the first styling behaviour or the second styling behaviour. Inembodiments, controlling the heating element 220 comprises adjusting anamount of energy applied to the heating element 220 and/or adjusting anoperating temperature of the hairstyling device 100. This enables theheat settings of the hairstyling device 100 to more closely correspondto the styling behaviour that the user intends to use. As such, adesired style can be achieved whilst reducing the likelihood of hairdamage and/or reducing the styling time.

In embodiments, a user interface is caused to provide an output based onthe classification data. The output may comprise, for example, anotification notifying the user that the current operating settings ofthe hairstyling device 100 do not correspond with the identified stylingbehaviour. This may prompt the user to take corrective action, e.g. tochange the operating settings. In embodiments, the output comprises awarning against improper and/or unsafe use of the hairstyling device100. In embodiments, the output comprises a request for the user toconfirm that the identified styling behaviour is correct.

In embodiments, one or more contextual features are used as inputs tothe classification algorithm to obtain the classification data. As such,the classification algorithm may take as inputs both the sensor outputand the one or more contextual features. In embodiments, the one or morecontextual features are indicative of previous uses of the hairstylingdevice. For example, it may be determined and/or known that thehairstyling device 100 was previously used by the user for hairstraightening. This information influences the behaviour classificationfor subsequent uses. For example, a determined probability that thehairstyling device 100 is currently being used for hair straighteningrather than hair curling may be increased due to the knowledge of theprevious behaviour. In some embodiments, the previous uses comprisepreviously styled tresses within the same hairstyling session. Forexample, it may be determined and/or known that a first tress of hair isstraightened using the hairstyling device 100. This information causes adetermined probability that a second tress will also be straightened tobe increased. In embodiments, the one or more contextual features areindicative of user preferences. Using contextual features as inputs tothe classification algorithm increases the confidence level of theclassification data.

In embodiments, the classification data is stored in a memory, e.g. thememory 250 of the hairstyling device 100. As such, the classificationdata may be used at a later time, for example during a subsequent use ofthe hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, the classification data isstored for use as a contextual feature during a subsequent use of thehairstyling device 100. This enables the confidence level for futureclassifications performed by the classification algorithm to beincreased. In embodiments, the classification data is outputted fortransmission to a remote device. For example, the classification datamay be outputted for transmission to a user device. In embodiments, theclassification data is used to generate a user hairstyling profile forthe user. The user hairstyling profile may be used to provide tailoredstyling advice to the user, for example. The user hairstyling profilemay be modified and/or updated as new classification data is obtained.

In embodiments, training data is received from a remote device. In somesuch embodiments, the classification algorithm is modified using thereceived training data. The training data may be received from anetwork, e.g. ‘the Cloud’. Such training data may comprise sensor dataand/or classification data associated with other users. Such trainingdata may comprise crowd-sourced data, for example. In embodiments, suchtraining data is greater in volume than sensor data and/orclassification data obtained using the hairstyling device 100 directly.The use of the training data from the remote device to modify theclassification algorithm can increase the accuracy and/or reliability ofthe classification algorithm compared to a case in which such trainingdata is not used.

FIG. 10 shows a method 1000 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 1000 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 10 , the hairstyling device comprises the heatablehair contact member 225. The hair contact member 225 comprises theopposing first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. The haircontact member 225 is operable to apply heat to hair via at least one ofthe first hair-contactable surface 116 and the second hair-contactablesurface 126. The hairstyling device 100 also comprises the closingmechanism 227 operable to move the first hair-contactable surface 116relative to the second hair-contactable surface 126. In embodiments, themethod 1000 is performed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 1010, a control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227.

In step 1020, in response to receipt of the control signal, the closingmechanism 227 adjusts a distance between the first hair-contactablesurface 116 and the second hair-contactable surface 126.

As such, the closing mechanism 227 is responsive to control signals,e.g. from the controller 210. Therefore, in embodiments, the user is notrelied upon to control the distance between the first hair-contactablesurface 116 and the second hair-contactable surface 126. This enablesthe clamping of hair between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 tobe performed in a more controlled and intelligent manner. If the user isrelied upon to manually clamp the hair, too much or too little pressuremay be applied to the hair. For example, at the hair-root end of atress, where the hair between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 isrelatively thick, a user may apply too much clamping pressure, therebyrisking damage to the hair. However, at the hair-tip end of the tress,where the hair between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 isrelatively thin, a user may be unable to apply sufficient clampingpressure to style the hair in a desired manner Therefore, clamping thehair solely via a manual clamping force applied by a user may result inhair damage, an inability to achieve a desired style, and/or anincreased styling time. Controlling the closing mechanism 227 in anautomated manner, via control signals from the controller 210, thusreduces the likelihood of hair damage, increases the likelihood of adesired style being achieved and/or reduces styling time.

In embodiments, the hair contact member 225 comprises the first arm 110and the second arm 120 movably coupled to the first arm 110, asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B above. The first arm 110comprises the first hair-contactable surface 116, and the second arm 120comprises the second hair-contactable surface 126. In some suchembodiments, the closing mechanism 227 is configured to, in response toreceipt of the control signal, move the first hair-contactable surface116 relative to the first arm 110. As such, the first arm 110 can moverelative to the second arm 120, and the first hair-contactable surface116 can additionally move relative to the first arm 110. In some suchembodiments, closing of the hairstyling device 100 comprises two phases.In a first, manual, phase, a user moves the first arm 110 relative tothe second arm 120, i.e. to move from an open configuration of the arms110, 120 to a closed configuration of the arms 110, 120. In a second,automated, phase, the controller 210 causes the closing mechanism 227 tomove the first hair-contactable surface 116 relative to the first arm110, thereby to adjust a distance between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. In some embodiments, the closingmechanism 227 is configured to, in response to receipt of the controlsignal, move the first arm 110 relative to the second arm 120.

In embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 is operable to move the secondhair-contactable surface 126 in addition to the first hair-contactablesurface 116. This allows for a finer level of control compared to a casein which the closing mechanism 227 is operable to move only one of thehair-contactable surfaces 116, 126.

In embodiments, a target distance between the first hair-contactablesurface 116 and the second hair-contactable surface 126 is identified.In such embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closingmechanism 227 based on the target distance. The target distance may beidentified based on a number of factors as described below.

In embodiments, a target clamping pressure to be applied to hair betweenthe first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. In suchembodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227 based on the target clamping pressure. For example, the controlsignal may cause the closing mechanism 227 to apply the target clampingpressure to hair between the first and second hair-contactable surfaces116, 126. The target clamping pressure may be identified based on anumber of factors as described below.

In embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 is at least partlyelectro-mechanical. For example, the closing mechanism 227 may receiveelectrical control signals, and convert such control signals intomechanical movement. In embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 comprisesone or more stepper motors. In such embodiments, the closing mechanism227 is configured to, in response to receipt of the control signal,actuate the one or more stepper motors to move the firsthair-contactable surface 116 relative to the second hair-contactablesurface 126.

In embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 comprises one or moreinflatable airbags adjacent to the first hair-contactable surface 116.In such embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 is configured to, inresponse to receipt of the control signal, control inflation of the oneor more inflatable airbags to move the first hair-contactable surface116 relative to the second hair-contactable surface 126. Such airbagsmay be used to provide a ‘floating’ plate 115 comprising the firsthair-contactable surface 116, which can move relative to the first arm110. Such airbags may be arranged behind the first hair-contactablesurface 116, i.e. within the first arm 110. The closing mechanism 227 isconfigured to control inflation of the one or more airbags to a desiredpressure. In embodiments, air is provided from a reservoir (e.g. acanister) under control of the controller 210. The desired pressure isdependent on a target distance between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 and/or a target pressure to beapplied to hair between the first and second hair-contactable surfaces.The closing mechanism 227 may comprise a valve to prevent the desiredpressure from being exceeded and/or to reduce the pressure in the one ormore airbags. In embodiments, the closing mechanism 227 furthercomprises one or more inflatable airbags adjacent to the secondhair-contactable surface 126, which may be controlled in a similarmanner.

In embodiments, it is determined that the hair contact member 225 ismoving along a tress of hair from a hair-root end of the tress towards ahair-tip end of the tress. For example, a signal from an IMU 235 may bereceived, indicating that the hair contact member 225 is moving alongthe tress. In some such embodiments, the control signal is outputted tothe closing mechanism 227 in response to determining that the haircontact member 225 is moving along the tress. A target distance betweenthe first and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126 and/or a targetpressure to be applied to hair between the first and secondhair-contactable plates 116, 126 may be dependent on movement of thehair contact member 225 along the tress.

In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanismbased on a determined speed of the hair contact member 225 moving alongthe tress. For example, the clamping pressure may be reduced if thedetermined speed is above a predetermined threshold, in order to reducethe likelihood of mechanical damage being done to the hair.

In embodiments, a displacement of the hair contact member 225 from thehair-root end of the tress is determined. In such embodiments, thecontrol signal is outputted to the closing mechanism 227 based on thedetermined displacement. The displacement may be determined using asignal from the IMU 235, for example. In embodiments, the displacementof the hair contact member 225 from the hair-root end is used tocalculate a target distance between the first and secondhair-contactable plates 116, 126 and/or a target pressure to be appliedto hair between the first and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126.As such, the clamping pressure applied to hair may be controlled in amore intelligent manner.

In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227 to cause the distance between the first hair-contactable surface 116and the second hair-contactable surface 126 to decrease as the haircontact member 225 moves along the tress from the hair-root end of thetress towards the hair-tip end of the tress. Since hair is generallythicker at the hair-root end and thinner (and/or less healthy) at thehair-tip end, causing the distance between the hair contactable surfaces116, 126 to decrease along the tress reduces the likelihood of damage tohair at the hair-root end, whilst ensuring that hair at the hair-tip endof the tress is styled in a desired manner.

In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227 to cause a clamping pressure applied to hair between the firsthair-contactable surface 116 and the second hair-contactable surface 126to increase as the hair contact member 225 moves along the tress fromthe hair-root end of the tress towards the hair-tip end of the tress. Assuch, a pressure ramp may be applied to the tress of hair. Such apressure ramp reduces the likelihood of damage to hair at the hair-rootend of the tress, whilst ensuring that hair at the hair-tip end of thetress is styled in a desired manner. In embodiments, the pressure ramp(or ‘pressure profile’) is tailored to the user. For example, thepressure ramp may be determined based on one or more user preferences,previous uses of the hairstyling device 100, sensor data indicative ofcurrent use of the hairstyling device 100, etc.

In embodiments, a thickness of hair between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is determined. In such embodiments,the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism 227 based onthe determined thickness of hair. The thickness may be determined, forexample, by measuring the distance between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. In other examples, the thickness ofhair is determined by measuring the power draw associated with heatingof the hair contact member 225. For example, where the hairstylingdevice 100 comprises the heating element 220 configured to heat thehair, the thickness of hair may be determined by measuring the powerdrawn by the heating element 220 during heating. In embodiments, thethickness is determined based on the displacement of the hairstylingdevice 100 from the hair-root end of the tress. In embodiments, thedetermined thickness is used to calculate a target distance between thefirst and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126 and/or a targetpressure to be applied to hair between the first and secondhair-contactable plates 116, 126. In embodiments, the thickness of hairbetween the first and second hair-contactable plates is indicative of anamount of hair between the first and second hair-contactable plates 116,126.

In embodiments, a distance between the first and second hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 is determined. In such embodiments, the control signalis outputted to the closing mechanism 227 based on the measureddistance. The distance between the first and second hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 may be measured using a Hall effect sensor, forexample. A target distance between the first and second hair-contactableplates 116, 126 and/or a target pressure to be applied to hair betweenthe first and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126 may be dependenton the measured distance.

In embodiments, power draw associated with heating of the hair contactmember 225 may be monitored during heating of hair via the at least oneof the first hair-contactable surface 116 and the secondhair-contactable surface 126. The power draw may be monitored usingsensor equipment, e.g. a power meter. In examples where the hairstylingdevice 100 comprises the heating element 220, monitoring the power drawmay comprise monitoring the power drawn by the heating element 220during heating of the hair. Based on the monitored power draw, one ormore hair damage parameters indicative of damage of the heated hair arecalculated. In such embodiments, the control signal is outputted to theclosing mechanism 227 based on the one or more calculated hair damageparameters. A target distance between the first and secondhair-contactable plates 116, 126 and/or a target pressure to be appliedto hair between the first and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126may be dependent on the one or more calculated hair damage parameters.For example, the control signal may cause the clamping pressure to bereduced if the one or more calculated hair damage parameters indicatethat damage to the hair is likely to occur (e.g. due to excessiveclamping pressure). In some cases, the control signal may cause theclamping pressure to be increased if the one or more calculated hairdamage parameters indicate that the hair is already damaged. Thisincreased clamping pressure may facilitate styling of the damaged hair.

In embodiments, it is determined whether the hairstyling device 100 isbeing used according to a first styling behaviour (e.g. a hairstraightening behaviour) or a second styling behaviour, different fromthe first styling behaviour (e.g. a hair curling behaviour). Such adetermination may be made without user input, using a classificationalgorithm, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 9 above. Inalternative embodiments, such a determination is made based on userinput. In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closingmechanism 227 dependent on whether the hairstyling device 100 is beingused according to the first styling behaviour or the second stylingbehaviour. A target distance between the first and secondhair-contactable plates 116, 126 and/or a target pressure to be appliedto hair between the first and second hair-contactable plates 116, 126may be dependent on the determined styling behaviour. For example, thecontrol signal may cause the clamping pressure to be different for hairstraightening than for hair curling. This enables the different stylesto be achieved, whilst reducing styling time and/or reducing thelikelihood of hair damage.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 is configured to prevent anexternal clamping force applied by a user from causing the distancebetween the first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 to gobelow a first predetermined threshold distance. In such embodiments, thecontrol signal can cause the distance between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 to go below the first predeterminedthreshold distance, but the external clamping force applied by the usercannot. When the distance between the first and second hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 is below the first predetermined threshold distance,the distance may be reduced further by the control signals but not bythe external clamping force. As such, control of the distance betweenthe hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 may be performed by the user whenthe hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are relatively far apart (e.g. bymoving the first arm 110 relative to the second arm 120), but may beperformed solely by the controller 210 when the hair-contactablesurfaces 116, 126 are relatively close together (e.g. by moving thefirst hair-contactable surface 116 relative to the first arm 110). Thisprevents the external force applied by the user from overriding theaction of the control signals. In embodiments, the first predeterminedthreshold distance is approximately 2 millimetres.

In embodiments, it is determined that the distance between the first andsecond hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is less than a secondpredetermined threshold distance. The second predetermined thresholddistance may be the same as or different from the first predeterminedthreshold distance. The control signal is outputted to the closingmechanism 227 in response to determining that the distance between thefirst and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is less than thesecond predetermined threshold distance. As such, the control of theclosing mechanism 227 via the control signal is performed when the firstand second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 are relatively closetogether. This ensures that the control of the closing mechanism 227 viathe control signal is performed as and when appropriate, i.e. when hairis being styling by the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments where thearms 110, 120 are movable between an open configuration and a closedconfiguration, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227 in response to determining that the arms 110, 120 are in the closedconfiguration. In embodiments, if the arms 110, 120 are in the closedconfiguration but the hairstyling device is not actually in use (e.g.being held by the user and/or styling hair), the automated control ofthe closing mechanism 227 is not performed.

In embodiments, the distance between the hair-contactable surfaces 116,126 when the arms 110, 120 are in the closed configuration and after theclosing mechanism 227 has moved the first hair-contactable surface 116is less than the distance between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126when the arms 110, 120 are in the closed configuration before theclosing mechanism 227 has moved the first hair-contactable surface 116.In other words, a ‘manually closed position’ is provided, in which thearms 110, 120 are in the closed position, and a separate ‘automatedclosed position’ is provided, in which the arms 110, 120 are in theclosed position and additionally the closing mechanism 227 reduces thedistance between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 in response tothe control signal. The automated closed position is thus ‘more closed’than the manually closed position, in some embodiments.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 is configured to prevent anexternal clamping force applied by a user from causing the firsthair-contactable surface 116 to contact the second hair-contactablesurface 126. For example, when the arms 110, 120 are in a closedconfiguration, the first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126may be spaced apart. In such embodiments, the control signal outputtedto the closing mechanism 227 may cause the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 to be brought into contact. As such,an external force applied by the user is prevented from overriding theaction of the control signals in controlling the closing mechanism 227.

In embodiments, an external clamping force applied by a user to urge thefirst arm 110 towards the second arm 120 is determined, e.g. measured.Such an external clamping force may be determined using sensor outputfrom sensor equipment (e.g. a force and/or pressure sensor). That is,the external clamping force may be measured by one or more sensors. Theexternal clamping force is applied by the user to urge the firsthair-contactable surface 116 towards the second hair-contactable surface126. In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closingmechanism 227 based on the determined external clamping force. As such,the control of the closing mechanism 227, and consequently the distancebetween the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126, may be dependent on theexternal clamping force applied by the user. Therefore, although theexternal clamping force applied by the user does not bring the first andsecond hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 together directly, it caninfluence the control of the closing mechanism 227, via the controlsignal generated by the controller 210.

In embodiments, the control signal is outputted to the closing mechanism227 in response to the measured external clamping force exceeding apredetermined threshold. As such, the closing mechanism 227 may becontrolled by the controller 210 when the user tries to urge thehair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 together. In embodiments, the targetclamping pressure to be applied by the closing mechanism 227 to hairbetween the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126 is dependent on themeasured external clamping force applied by the user. In other words,when the user tries to increase a clamping pressure (by increasing theforce exerted on the arms 110, 120), such an increase is determined bythe controller 210, which consequently increases the target clampingpressure to be applied by the closing mechanism 227.

In embodiments, the measured external clamping force is used to estimatea displacement of the hair contact member 225 along the tress. Forexample, a user may try to apply less force at the hair-root end of thetress and more force towards the hair-tip end of the tress, and this maybe determined by the controller 210. In some examples, the measuredexternal clamping force is used to determine a thickness of hair betweenthe first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. For example, auser may try to apply more force when there is less hair and/or thinnerhair between the hair-contactable surfaces 116, 126.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensorequipment 230 configured to generate a sensor output indicative ofcurrent use of the hairstyling device 100, the control signal may beoutputted based on the sensor output. The sensor equipment 230 maycomprise the IMU 235 and/or a Hall effect sensor, for example. As such,the closing mechanism 227 can be controlled based on the sensor outputindicative of the current use of the hairstyling device 100, for examplehow the user is moving the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, thesensor output is processed to determine one or more of: the speed of thehair contact member 225, the displacement of the hair contact member 225from the hair-root end of the tress, the power draw associated withheating the hair contact member 225, whether the arms 110, 120 are inthe open or closed configuration, the magnitude of an external clampingforce applied by a user, a styling behaviour that is being used, thedistance between the first and second hair-contactable surfaces 116,126, and the thickness of hair between the first and secondhair-contactable surfaces 116, 126. This enables the closing mechanism227 to be controlled in a more intelligent and flexible manner.

FIG. 11 shows a method 1100 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 1100 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 11 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to hair viathe hair-contactable surface 116, 126. The hairstyling device 100 alsocomprises the IMU 235. The IMU 235 is configured to output signalsdependent on movement of the hair contact member 225. In embodiments,the method 1100 is performed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 1110, a signal is received from the IMU 235, indicating movementof the hair contact member 225 along a tress of hair between a first endof the tress and a second end of the tress.

In step 1120, the received signal is processed to determine a speed ofthe hair contact member 225.

In step 1130, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlled basedon the determined speed.

By controlling heating of the hair contact member 225 based on thedetermined speed of the hair contact member 225, heat delivery and/ordistribution along the tress can be controlled and/or adapted in a moreintelligent manner. Further, the determined speed may be used to predictwhether damage to hair may occur, e.g. due to too much heat and/ormechanical pressure being applied to the hair. For example, if the haircontact member 225 is determined to be moving relatively slowly alongthe tress, the likelihood of thermal damage to the hair is increased.Heating of the hair contact member 225 may be controlled to reduceand/or avoid such damage. For example, heating of the hair contactmember 225 may be controlled to reduce an amount of heat applied to thehair.

In embodiments, the first end of the tress comprises the hair-root endof the tress, and the second end of the tress comprises the hair-tip endof the tress. In such embodiments, the speed of the hair contact member225 moving between the hair-root end and the hair-tip end is determinedand used in the described manner. The first end may be located at thehair-root or at an intermediate point on the tress. The second end maybe located at the hair-tip or at an intermediate point on the tress.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises the heating element220 operable to heat the hair contact member 225. In such embodiments,controlling heating of the hair contact member 225 comprises controllingthe heating element 220. As such, the heating element 220 may becontrolled based on the determined speed.

In embodiments, a target heat delivery profile along the tress isdetermined, using the determined speed. In such embodiments, heating ofthe hair contact member 225 is controlled based on the target heatdelivery profile. As such, a target heat delivery profile may bedetermined that is tailored to the user, based on how quickly the usermoves the hair contact member 225 along the tress. Different target heatdelivery profiles may be used for different speeds of the hair contactmember 225. In embodiments, the target heat delivery profile comprises aheat delivery profile which varies along the tress. For example, thetarget heat delivery profile may comprise a temperature ramp along thetress. The steepness of the temperature ramp (i.e. the rate oftemperature increase) along the tress may be dependent on the determinedspeed of the hair contact member 225. This allows the heat distributionalong the tress to be controlled in an intelligent manner. Inembodiments, a first target heat delivery profile is initially used bythe hairstyling device 100. However, based on the determined speed ofthe hair contact member 225, a second, different target heat deliveryprofile is determined. The second target heat delivery profile may beable to achieve a desired style more quickly and/or with a reduced riskof damaging hair, compared to the first target heat delivery profile.

In embodiments, an amount of energy used to heat the hair contact member225 (e.g. an amount of energy applied to the heating element 220) isadjusted based on the determined speed. For example, if it is determinedthat the speed of the hair contact member 225 is below a predeterminedthreshold speed, the amount of energy used to heat the hair contactmember 225 may be reduced. This reduces the likelihood of thermal damagebeing done to the hair due to overheating. If it is determined that thespeed is above a predetermined threshold speed, the amount of energyused to heat the hair contact member 225 may be increased. This ensuresthat sufficient heat is applied to the hair to achieve a desired style.

In embodiments, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on a target operating temperature of the hair contact member 225.The target operating temperature is dependent on the determined speed.For example, a relatively low target operating temperature may be usedif the hair contact member 225 is being moved relatively slowly (therebyreducing the likelihood of thermal damage), whereas a relatively hightarget operating temperature may be used if the hair contact member 225is being moved relatively quickly (thereby allowing sufficient heat tobe transferred to the hair to achieve the desired style).

In embodiments, a displacement of the hair contact member 225 from thefirst end of the tress (e.g. the hair-root end) is determined on thebasis of the determined speed. In such embodiments, heating of the haircontact member 225 is controlled based on the determined displacementfrom the first end. In embodiments, the displacement of the hair contactmember 225 is determined using both a measurement of the length of thetress and the determined speed of the hair contact member 225. Such adetermination may be more accurate than a comparative case in which thetress length and/or speed are not used to determine the displacementfrom the first end. By controlling heating of the hair contact member225 based on the determined displacement, a finer control of the heatdistribution along the tress can be achieved. For example, the operatingtemperature of the hair contact member 225 may be increased as the haircontact member 225 moves towards the hair-tip end. Providing a heatdelivery profile that increases from the hair-root end towards thehair-tip end of the tress reduces the likelihood of thermal damage,whilst ensuring that sufficiently high temperatures are delivered tohair at the hair-tip end to achieve the desired style.

In embodiments, a user interface (e.g. the user interface 240 of thehairstyling device 100) is caused to provide an output based on thedetermined speed. In embodiments, the output comprises a notificationnotifying the user that the operating temperature of the hairstylingdevice 100 has been adjusted due to the speed of the hair contact member225. In embodiments, the output comprises a notification advising theuser to adjust the speed of the hair contact member 225.

In embodiments, received signals from the IMU 235 are processed using avelocity and/or position estimation algorithm (e.g. comprising aMadgwick filter). This is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 3 above. In embodiments, the received signal is processed using amachine learning model, as described above.

In embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 does not comprisethe heating element 220, heating of the hair contact member 225 may becontrolled by applying energy to the hair contact member 225 directly.In either case, heating of the hair contact member 225 is controlledbased on the determined speed.

FIG. 12 shows a method 1200 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 1200 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 12 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises theheatable hair contact member 225 having a hair-contactable surface 116,126. The hair contact member 225 is operable to apply heat to hair viathe hair-contactable surface 116, 126. The hairstyling device 100 alsocomprises the IMU 235. The IMU 235 is configured to output signalsdependent on movement of the hair contact member 225. In embodiments,the method 1200 is performed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 1210, a signal is received from the IMU 235, indicating movementof the hair contact member 225 along a tress of hair of a user between afirst end of the tress and a second end of the tress.

In step 1220, the received signal is processed to determine a speed ofthe hair contact member 225.

In step 1230, a difference is determined between a heat delivery profileachievable by the hair contact member 225 moving at the determined speedalong the tress and a target heat delivery profile along the tress.

In step 1240, based on the determined difference, a user interface iscaused to provide an output relating to the determined speed of the haircontact member 225.

By providing an output at a user interface based on a difference betweena heat delivery profile achievable by the hair contact member 225 movingat the determined speed and a target heat delivery profile, the user maybe notified that such a difference exists. That is, the user may benotified that the target heat delivery profile cannot be achieved due tothe speed of the hair contact member 225.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user to adjust the speed of the hair contactmember 225. For example, the user may be prompted to speed up or slowdown. Prompting the user to adjust the speed of the hair contact member225 enables the hairstyling device 100 to achieve the target heatdelivery profile. This increases the likelihood that the desired stylecan be achieved, whilst reducing the styling time and/or reducing thelikelihood of hair damage.

In embodiments, the target heat delivery profile comprises a heatdelivery profile which varies along the tress. That is, the targetoperating temperature of the hair contact member 225 may vary along thetress. For example, the target heat delivery profile may comprise a heatdelivery profile which increases along the tress from the hair-root endtowards the hair-tip end. Such a target heat delivery profile, whenachieved, reduces the likelihood of hair damage at the hair-root end ofthe tress whilst ensuring that sufficient heat is applied to hair at thehair-tip end of the tress to achieve the desired style.

In embodiments, it is identified that the speed of the hair contactmember 225 is outside of a target speed range. The target speed rangedefines speeds at which the hair contact member 225 can achieve thetarget heat delivery profile along the tress. For example, the speed ofthe hair contact member 225 may be below the target speed range (i.e.too slow), or may be above the target speed range (i.e. too fast). Ifthe hair contact member 225 is determined to be moving too slowly and/ortoo quickly to achieve the target heat delivery profile, the user isinformed via the user interface. The user may be prompted to adjust thespeed of the hair contact member 225 such that the speed of the haircontact member 225 is within the target speed range. In embodiments, thetarget speed range is identified. Different target speed ranges may beassociated with different target heat delivery profiles.

In embodiments, it is determined whether the hairstyling device 100 isbeing used according to a first styling behaviour or a second stylingbehaviour, different from the first styling behaviour. In suchembodiments, the target heat delivery profile is dependent on whetherthe hairstyling device 100 is being used according to the first stylingbehaviour or the second styling behaviour. For example, a first targetheat delivery profile may be used if the hairstyling device 100 is beingused for hair straightening, and a second target heat delivery profilemay be used if the hairstyling device 100 is being used for haircurling. In embodiments, the styling behaviour is determined using aclassification algorithm, as described above. In alternativeembodiments, the target heat delivery profile is not dependent on thestyling behaviour being used.

In embodiments, determining whether the hairstyling device 100 is beingused according to the first styling behaviour or the second stylingbehaviour is on the basis of a received signal from the IMU 235. Assuch, movement of the hair contact member 225 is used to identify thecurrent styling behaviour of the hairstyling device 100. For example,hair curling may involve a greater amount of rotation of the haircontact member 225 compared to hair straightening. Such movement may beanalysed using data from the IMU 235.

In embodiments, received signals from the IMU 235 are processed using avelocity and/or position estimation algorithm (e.g. comprising aMadgwick filter). This is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 3 above. In embodiments, the received signal is processed using amachine learning model, as described above.

In embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises a user interface.For example, the output relating to the determined speed of the haircontact member 225 may be provided via the user interface 240 of thehairstyling device 100. This may increase the likelihood that the userwill receive the output promptly compared to a case in which the userinterface is not comprised in the hairstyling device 100. The output maycomprise an audio output, a visual output, and/or a haptic output.

In embodiments, the user interface is comprised in a remote device, e.g.a mobile device or a docking station communicatively coupled to thehairstyling device 100. In such embodiments, a signal is outputted tothe remote device to cause the user interface to provide the output. Auser interface on such a remote device may be more versatile than a userinterface on the hairstyling device 100 itself. For example, a largerdisplay may be provided on the remote device than can be accommodated onthe hairstyling device 100. Since the hairstyling device 100 isgenerally hand-held and has various other components, such as heatingelements and hair-contactable surfaces, the amount of physical space onthe hairstyling device 100 that is available for a user interface may belimited.

In embodiments, the method 1200 comprises determining the heat deliveryprofile achievable by the hair contact member 225 moving at thedetermined speed. In alternative embodiments, the heat delivery profileachievable by the hair contact member 225 is not determined. As such,the determining performed in step 1230 may comprise quantifying thedifference between the achievable heat delivery profile and the targetheat delivery profile, but alternatively may comprise merely identifyingthat a difference exists, i.e. that the target heat delivery profilecannot be achieved at the current speed.

In embodiments, the first end comprises the hair-root end of the tress,and the second end comprises the hair-tip end of the tress. As such, inembodiments, the signal received from the IMU 235 is indicative ofmovement of the hair contact member 225 between the hair-root end of thetress and the hair-tip end of the tress. In such embodiments, the speedof the hair contact member 225 moving between the hair-root end andhair-tip end of the tress is determined and used in the describedmanner.

FIG. 13 shows a method 1300 of operating a hairstyling device, accordingto embodiments. The method 1300 may be used to operate the hairstylingdevice 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 . In theembodiments of FIG. 13 , the hairstyling device 100 comprises sensorequipment 230 configured to generate a sensor output dependent on atleast one use characteristic of the hairstyling device 100 indicative ofcurrent use of the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, the method1300 is performed at least in part by the controller 210.

In step 1310, the sensor output is received from the sensor equipment230.

In step 1320, the sensor output is processed to determine one or morehair damage parameters. The one or more hair damage parameters areindicative of damage to hair being heated by the hairstyling device 100.

In step 1330, a user interface is caused, during heating of the hair bythe hairstyling device 100, to provide an output dependent on the one ormore hair damage parameters.

By causing the user interface to provide the output during heating ofthe hair, rather than after the hairstyling session is complete,feedback can be provided in substantially real time. This allows theuser to be informed that the hair which is currently being heated isdamaged, or may become damaged. As such, more meaningful information maybe conveyed to the user, and more promptly, compared to other methods.Further, such feedback can prompt the user to take corrective action,e.g. to change the speed and/or operating temperature of the hairstylingdevice 100, to reduce the likelihood of damage and/or further damagebeing done to the heated hair.

In embodiments, the one or more hair damage parameters are indicative ofpre-existing damage to the hair. In embodiments, the one or more hairdamage parameters are indicative of predicted damage due to the heatingof the hair by the hairstyling device 100. In embodiments, the one ormore hair damage parameters are indicative of both pre-existing damageand predicted damage. In embodiments, the one or more hair damageparameters are indicative of at least one of physical damage, thermaldamage and chemical damage of the hair.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anaudio, visual and/or haptic output. For example, the output may beprovided via a display, a speaker and/or a haptic actuator.

In embodiments, the user interface is comprised in a remote device. Auser interface on such a remote device may be more versatile than a userinterface on the hairstyling device 100 itself. For example, a largerdisplay may be provided on the remote device than can be accommodated onthe hairstyling device 100. Since the hairstyling device 100 isgenerally hand-held and may have various other components, such asheating elements and hair-contactable surfaces, the amount of space onthe hairstyling device 100 that is available for a user interface may belimited. In such embodiments, a signal is outputted to the remote deviceto cause the user interface to provide the output. Such a signal may betransmitted wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth™ technology, to the remotedevice.

In alternative embodiments, the hairstyling device 100 comprises theuser interface. By providing the user interface on the hairstylingdevice 100, the output may be generated and received by the user morequickly compared to a case in which the user interface is not comprisedon the hairstyling device 100, since the need for communications betweendifferent devices is avoided. Further, providing the user interface onthe hairstyling device 100 may increase a likelihood that the userreceives the feedback promptly. For example, the user may not be in thesame location as the remote device during use of the hairstyling device100, and therefore the user may not see/hear a notification on theremote device promptly.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user that a feedback message is available ona remote device. In such embodiments, both the hairstyling device 100and the remote device comprise user interfaces. However, the userinterface on the remote device may be more versatile, complex and/orlarger than the user interface on the hairstyling device 100. Bynotifying the user that a feedback message is available on the remotedevice, the user is prompted to look at the remote device (which may, insome cases, be in a different location to the user) to receive thefeedback. The output provided on the hairstyling device 100 may comprisea flashing light, an audio tone and/or a vibration, for example. Thefeedback message on the remote device may comprise a text message, apictographic message, an audio message, etc. In embodiments, thecontroller 210 of the hairstyling device 100 causes the remote device toprovide the feedback message.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises analert relating to the one or more hair damage parameters. Such an alertmay, for example, indicate that the part of the hair that is currentlybeing heated is already damaged or is likely to become damaged due tothe heating. In embodiments, the alert indicates a type of damage to thehair, e.g. chemical, thermal or mechanical damage.

In embodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user to take corrective action. Such anotification may advise the user to adjust the speed of the hairstylingdevice 100 and/or the operating temperature of the hairstyling device100, for example. In embodiments, the notification comprises a suggestedoperating temperature. By notifying the user to take corrective actionin substantially real time, damage and/or further damage to the heatedhair may be prevented.

In embodiments, one or more settings of the hairstyling device 100 arechanged based on the one or more hair damage parameters. The one or moresettings are changed by the hairstyling device 100 itself, e.g. by thecontroller 210. The one or more settings are changed to prevent damageand/or prevent further damage to the heated hair. In some suchembodiments, the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user that the one or more settings have beenchanged. As such, the hairstyling device 100 can autonomously change itssettings based on the one or more hair damage parameters, beforenotifying the user that such changes have been made. This may be fasterthan a case in which the user is relied upon to change the settings ofthe hairstyling device 100, thereby reducing a likelihood of furtherdamage to the hair. In embodiments, the one or more settings comprise anoperating temperature of the hairstyling device 100. For example, theoperating temperature may be reduced in order to prevent damage and/orfurther damage to the heated hair.

In embodiments, for example where the hairstyling device 100 comprisesthe IMU 235, the at least one use characteristic is indicative ofmovement of the hairstyling device 100. For example, the at least oneuse characteristic may be indicative of the speed of the hairstylingdevice 100. As such, the one or more hair damage parameters may bedetermined based on the speed of the hairstyling device 100. Forexample, if the speed of the hairstyling device 100 is determined to beabove a predetermined threshold speed (i.e. moving too quickly), the oneor more hair damage parameters may indicate a relatively high likelihoodof mechanical damage being done to the hair. If the speed of thehairstyling device 100 is determined to be below a predeterminedthreshold speed (i.e. moving too slowly), the one or more hair damageparameters may indicate a relatively high likelihood of thermal damagebeing done to the hair. In embodiments, the at least one usecharacteristic is indicative of the displacement of the hairstylingdevice 100 along a tress of hair from a hair-root end of the tress. Assuch, the one or more hair damage parameters may be determined based onsuch a displacement.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device 100 comprises the haircontact member 225, the hair contact member 225 comprising opposingfirst and second hair-contactable surfaces, the hair contact member 225being moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration,the at least one use characteristic may be indicative of whether thehair contact member 225 is in the open configuration or in the closedconfiguration. As such, the one or more hair damage parameters may bedetermined based on whether the hair contact member 225 is in the openconfiguration or in the closed configuration. For example, thelikelihood of mechanical and/or thermal damage being done to hair mayincrease if the hair contact member 225 is in the closed configurationfor an extended period of time.

In embodiments, the sensor equipment 230 comprises a temperature sensorconfigured to sense an operating temperature of the hairstyling device100 (e.g. an operating temperature of the hair contact member 225). Insuch embodiments, the at least one use characteristic comprises theoperating temperature of the hairstyling device 100. As such, the one ormore hair damage parameters may be determined based on the operatingtemperature of the hairstyling device 100. For example, if the operatingtemperature of the hairstyling device 100 is determined to be above apredetermined threshold (i.e. too hot), the likelihood of thermal damagebeing done to hair may increase.

In embodiments where the hairstyling device comprises the heatingelement 220, the sensor equipment 230 comprises a power sensorconfigured to sense power drawn by the heating element 220 duringheating of hair. In such embodiments, the at least one usecharacteristic comprises the power drawn by the heating element 220. Assuch, the one or more hair damage parameters may be determined based onthe power drawn by the heating element 220 during heating of the hair.As discussed above with reference to FIG. 8 , a measure of hair damagecan be obtained by monitoring the power draw associated with heating ofthe hair contact member 225 (e.g. the power drawn by the heating element220) to heat the hair, due to the different moisture retentionproperties of damaged and undamaged hair. For example, the power drawnby the heating element 220 to heat the hair to a given temperature maybe relatively high for damaged hair (retaining less moisture), and maybe relatively low for undamaged hair (retaining more moisture). Inalternative embodiments, e.g. where the hairstyling device 100 does notcomprise the heating element 220, the power sensor may sense power drawnby the hair contact member 225 itself during heating of the hair.

The at least one use characteristic may comprise a combination of one ormore of the factors described above. For example, the one or more hairdamage parameters may be determined on the basis of a combination of theoperating temperature and the speed of the hairstyling device 100.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any oneembodiment and/or aspect may be used alone, or in combination with otherfeatures described, and may also be used in combination with one or morefeatures of any other of the embodiments and/or aspects, or anycombination of any other of the embodiments and/or aspects. For example,it will be appreciated that features and/or steps described in relationto a given one of the methods 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000,1100, 1200, 1300 may be included instead of or in addition to featuresand/or steps described in relation to other ones of the methods 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the hairstyling device 100comprises a controller 210. The controller 210 is configured to performvarious methods described herein. In embodiments, the controllercomprises a processing system. Such a processing system may comprise oneor more processors and/or memory. Each device, component, or function asdescribed in relation to any of the examples described herein, forexample the sensor equipment 230, user interface 240, and/or machinelearning agent, may similarly comprise a processor or may be comprisedin apparatus comprising a processor. One or more aspects of theembodiments described herein comprise processes performed by apparatus.In some examples, the apparatus comprises one or more processorsconfigured to carry out these processes. In this regard, embodiments maybe implemented at least in part by computer software stored in(non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware,or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (andtangibly stored firmware). Embodiments also extend to computer programs,particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for puttingthe above described embodiments into practice. The program may be in theform of non-transitory source code, object code, or in any othernon-transitory form suitable for use in the implementation of processesaccording to embodiments. The carrier may be any entity or devicecapable of carrying the program, such as a RAM, a ROM, or an opticalmemory device, etc.

The one or more processors of processing systems may comprise a centralprocessing unit (CPU). The one or more processors may comprise agraphics processing unit (GPU). The one or more processors may compriseone or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmablelogic device (PLD), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). Theone or more processors may comprise an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). It will be appreciated by the skilled person that manyother types of device, in addition to the examples provided, may be usedto provide the one or more processors. The one or more processors maycomprise multiple co-located processors or multiple disparately locatedprocessors. Operations performed by the one or more processors may becarried out by one or more of hardware, firmware, and software. It willbe appreciated that processing systems may comprise more, fewer and/ordifferent components from those described.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in software orhardware, or may be implemented using a combination of software andhardware. They may include configuring an apparatus to carry out and/orsupport any or all of techniques described herein. Although at leastsome aspects of the examples described herein with reference to thedrawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems orprocessors, examples described herein also extend to computer programs,for example computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for puttingthe examples into practice. The carrier may be any entity or devicecapable of carrying the program. The carrier may comprise a computerreadable storage media. Examples of tangible computer-readable storagemedia include, but are not limited to, an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM,DVD-ROM or Blu-ray), flash memory card, floppy or hard disk or any othermedium capable of storing computer-readable instructions such asfirmware or microcode in at least one ROM or RAM or Programmable ROM(PROM) chips.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentionedwhich have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then suchequivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope ofthe present disclosure, which should be construed so as to encompass anysuch equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader thatintegers or features of the present disclosure that are described aspreferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do notlimit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possiblebenefit in some embodiments of the present disclosure, may not bedesirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

1. A hairstyling device operable to apply heat to hair of a user, thehairstyling device comprising: sensor equipment configured to generatesensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic of thehairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstyling device;and a controller configured to: receive the sensor output from thesensor equipment; process the sensor output to determine one or morehair damage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by thehairstyling device; and cause, during heating of the hair by thehairstyling device, a user interface to provide an output dependent onthe one or more hair damage parameters.
 2. The hairstyling deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more hair damage parameters areindicative of pre-existing damage to the hair.
 3. The hairstyling deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more hair damage parameters areindicative of predicted damage due to the heating of the hair by thehairstyling device.
 4. The hairstyling device according to claim 1,wherein the one or more hair damage parameters are indicative of atleast one of physical damage, thermal damage and chemical damage of thehair.
 5. The hairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein the userinterface is comprised in a remote device, wherein the controller isconfigured to output a signal to the remote device to cause the userinterface to provide the output.
 6. The hairstyling device according toclaim 1, wherein the hairstyling device comprises the user interface. 7.The hairstyling device according to claim 6, wherein the output providedby the user interface comprises a notification notifying the user that afeedback message is available on a remote device.
 8. The hairstylingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the output provided by the userinterface comprises an audio, visual and/or haptic output.
 9. Thehairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein the output provided bythe user interface comprises an alert relating to the one or more hairdamage parameters.
 10. The hairstyling device according to claim 1,wherein the output provided by the user interface comprises anotification notifying the user to take corrective action.
 11. Thehairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to change one or more settings of the hairstyling devicebased on the one or more hair damage parameters to prevent damage and/orprevent further damage to the heated hair, and wherein the outputprovided by the user interface comprises a notification notifying theuser that the one or more settings have been changed.
 12. Thehairstyling device according to claim 11, wherein the one or moresettings comprise an operating temperature of the hairstyling device.13. The hairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein the sensorequipment comprises an inertial measurement unit, IMU, and wherein theat least one use characteristic is indicative of movement of thehairstyling device.
 14. The hairstyling device according to claim 1,wherein the hairstyling device comprises a hair contact member, the haircontact member comprising opposing first and second hair-contactablesurfaces, the hair contact member being moveable between an openconfiguration and a closed configuration, and wherein the at least oneuse characteristic is indicative of whether the hair contact member isin the open configuration or in the closed configuration.
 15. Thehairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor equipmentcomprises a temperature sensor configured to sense an operatingtemperature of the hairstyling device, and wherein the at least one usecharacteristic comprises the operating temperature of the hairstylingdevice.
 16. The hairstyling device according to claim 1, wherein thesensor equipment comprises a power sensor configured to sense powerdrawn by a heating element of the hairstyling device during heating ofhair, and wherein the at least one use characteristic comprises thepower drawn by the heating element.
 17. The hairstyling device accordingto claim 1, wherein the hairstyling device comprises a hairstraightening device and/or a hair curling device.
 18. A systemcomprising: a hairstyling device operable to apply heat to hair of auser; and a remote device comprising a user interface, the remote devicebeing communicatively coupled to the hairstyling device, wherein thehairstyling device comprises: sensor equipment configured to generatesensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic of thehairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstyling device;and a controller configured to: receive the sensor output from thesensor equipment; process the sensor output to determine one or morehair damage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by thehairstyling device; and output a signal to the remote device to cause,during heating of the hair by the hairstyling device, the user interfaceto provide an output dependent on the one or more hair damageparameters.
 19. A method of operating a hairstyling device, thehairstyling device being operable to apply heat to hair of a user, thehairstyling device comprising sensor equipment configured to generatesensor output dependent on at least one use characteristic of thehairstyling device indicative of current use of the hairstyling device,the method comprising: receiving the sensor output from the sensorequipment; processing the sensor output to determine one or more hairdamage parameters indicative of damage to hair being heated by thehairstyling device; and causing, during heating of the hair by thehairstyling device, a user interface to provide an output dependent onthe one or more hair damage parameters.
 20. A computer programcomprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computeriseddevice, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating ahairstyling device, the hairstyling device being operable to apply heatto hair of a user, the hairstyling device comprising sensor equipmentconfigured to generate sensor output dependent on at least one usecharacteristic of the hairstyling device indicative of current use ofthe hairstyling device, the method comprising: receiving the sensoroutput from the sensor equipment; processing the sensor output todetermine one or more hair damage parameters indicative of damage tohair being heated by the hairstyling device; and causing, during heatingof the hair by the hairstyling device, a user interface to provide anoutput dependent on the one or more hair damage parameters.